Max is very verbal, and his two brothers are not. Tired of his constant chatter, they obtain a wizard whose spell limits Max to 9 words. This works well for the brothers, until Queen Spark, of the land of Flint, who must be treated in a very specific way that only Max knows, visits them. Without his knowledge, war may erupt.
Dan Bar-el, Tundra Books, 2014, 978-1-77049-562-3
The Nine-Word Sentence Story
First ask students to create a story, or take one they have already written. Then ask them to re-write it so that each sentence has exactly 9 words, and no more. Here is a sample.
Max was playing with his truck in the yard. He sat happily in the dirt getting totally filthy. His hands, arms, legs, clothes, and face were grimy. Occasionally he poured water into a shallow corner depression. Clutching his truck, he drove downhill through the “flood.”
Hello and Goodbye
Max’s kingdom signals goodbye to Queen Spark by wiggling their fingers. Ask students to brainstorm the hello/goodbye signals with which they are familiar. They may come up with:
- hugging and kissing one cheek
- a light bump on the shoulder
- waving: hello or goodbye
- rock on: small finger and thumb out, others in, and rock slightly
- peace symbol: make a v with the palm out
- fist bump
For 10 creative writing ideas, click Nine Words Max to download.