Binky is living the life of a normal house cat when gets the letter he's been waiting for in the mail. The letter is from F.U.R.S.T. (Felines of the Universe Ready for Space Travel) and it gives him the exciting news that he is now Space Cat qualified. Binky begins the preparations to build a space craft. When his rocket is finished, Binky can't wait to take off. The rocket is fired up, with Binky and his toy mouse inside. The countdown begins. Just as the rocket is about to launch, Binky realizes he has forgotten something that is very important - his humans! What will Binky do?
This book, written at a 740 Lexile level, won the 2011 Silver Birch Express Award and the 2011 Hackmatack Award.
Challenging vocabulary is scattered throughout the text, but the illustrations lend very good support to understanding the story. I can envision my second and third grade students enjoying this book.
Pixie's Thoughts:
I enjoyed the story and would like to read more books about Binky, even if he is a cat. I am expanding my horizons!
Classroom Applications:
- This book would be a good fiction read aloud during a unit about space. It could be used to introduce academic vocabulary such as gravity, oxygen, perimeter, and astronaut in an entertaining way.
- Use the activities on the following site to study the graphic novel genre: Kids Can Press .
Ashley Spire's Author/Illustrator Information
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