BOOK
ADVENTURES
A series of activities based on popular books can provide
ample material for many types of extracurricular programs.
The overall theme of the "adventure" is to explore
fantasy novels and books that incorporate magic and the
paranormal into their storylines, and to do this against
the backdrop of skepticism and critical inquiry - without,
of course, ruining the fictitious nature of the book or
degrading the importance of the imagination and a young
person's enjoyment of make-believing.
Plenty of books exist for this activity, for all age levels
and in varying lengths depending upon the time you are able
to devote to this activity. Many of these books are featured
in the Exploring
Imaginary Worlds activity where additional material
can be found to incorporate into your Book Adventures.
As you read the stories, you will come across paranormal
subject matter, extraordinary claims and many of the ingredients
that go into both. By dividing up the book into chapters
or other sections, you can explore these subjects and claims
at your meetings - providing a skeptical perspective of
such, creating further activities and experiments for each
and much more.
Whether you are part of a group that meets weekly or a
special program organized for weekends, holidays or summer
vacation, you may be able to explore several books and have
this activity serve as the theme for the extracurricular
program you are coordinating. This may also be an activity
for parents to use with bedtime stories, or for babysitters
to organize for the children in their care.
Visit the Exploring
Imaginary Worlds activity for additional material.
