7 Ate 9: The Untold Story, written by Tara Lazar and
illustrated by Ross MacDonald, is a clever mystery and a great book to read
aloud in your classroom.
After
you read 7 Ate 9 to your students, you can use it as a fun writing prompt for the
classroom. Here are a few writing suggestions:
1) The
author, Tara Lazar, took an old joke (“Why is 6 afraid of 7?” “Because 7 ate/8
9!”) and turned it into the plot of a book. Can you take a joke and turn it
into a story? Use one of these jokes, or any other joke you like:
-“Why
did the chicken cross the road?” “To get to the other side!”
-“How do
you catch a fish without a fishing rod?” “You use your BEAR hands!”
-“What
is it called when a cat wins a dog show?” “A CAT-astrophe!”
2) This
book is positively FILLED with puns and plays on words.
Here are
just a few:
-Private
“I”
-I
orders a slice of “pi”
-7 is
described as “odd”
How many
other puns and plays on words can you find in this book? Check the
illustrations too! Make a list as a class.
3) 7 Ate 9 is a mystery story. Try writing your own mystery story. Before you start
writing, organize your thoughts. How does the mystery begin? Is there a missing
person or item? Who will solve the mystery in your story? What clues can you
sprinkle into your story so that the mystery can be solved?
4) Ross
MacDonald managed to draw numbers in a way that gives each one lots of
personality. You try! Draw a number and give it hands, feet, and a face, like
in the book. You can add clothes or any other touches you like. Now write a few
sentences describing the personality of your number. What foods and activities does
your number like? Dislike? Who are your number’s friends? Does your number have
a pet?
5) Write
your own ending to 7 Ate 9. Instead of 9 turning out to be 6, and 6 trying to
frame 7…what else could happen? You decide! Think of a different solution to
the mystery and write it down.
