Middle Grades Activity Form
Title Amelia Lost
By: Candace Fleming
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade Books
Copyright: 2011
Genre: nonfiction
Setting: US, 1930s
SUMMARY: (must be original-not copied)
This biography follows Amelia Earhart from her childhood through her last flight in which she
disappeared over the Pacific Ocean. Includes lots of pictures, maps, letters, etc.
This was a well-written and interesting biography. It includes information on Earhart that I’d
never heard before. Although the story is known, this book kept me in suspense during the final
hours of her flight and the search for her plane.
AUTHOR’S BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:
Candance Fleming has always loved telling stories. While reading bedtime stories to her
children, she first had the idea to write her own books. After many rejection letters, she finally
had her first book published.
http://www.candacefleming.com/bio.html or
http://www.childrenslit.com/childrenslit/mai_fleming_candace.html
Other books written by the author:
The Great and Only Barnum
The Lincolns
Our Eleanor
Ben Franklin’s Almanac
A Big Cheese for the White House
Ben Franklin’s Almanac
Baoes for Katje
Clever Jack Takes the Cake
Gabriella’s Song; Gator Gumbo
Lowji Discovers America
Muncha! Muncha! Muncha
Our Eleanor
SIMILAR BOOKS/BOOKS WITH A SIMILAR THEME:
Lost Star
Who Was Amelia Earhart
Finding Amelia
Amelia’s Last Secret
Amelia Earhart: The Legend of the Lost Aviator by Shelley Tanaka
Amelia Earhart: Female Pioneer in Flight by Lori Mortensen
Amelia Earhart: Legendary Aviator by Jameson Anderson.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: (If question is related to a specific chapter, chapter is in
parenthesis following question)
1. Look at the picture on p. 69. Even though Amelia was third in this race, how did G.P.
publicize the race to make Amelia’s placing seem more favorable?
2. Amelia’s first flight instructor didn’t think she was ready to fly alone. Before her
round-the-world flight, Amelia spent few hours training in the plane she was to fly. Do
you think this affected the outcome? Do you think if she had prepared differently, the
outcome could have been different?
3. After reading this book, discuss what you consider Amelia Earhart’s greatest
strengths and greatest weaknesses to be.
4. Discuss the impact of Amelia’s accomplishments had on the women of her time.
5. Discuss how Amelia’s physical appearance was important to her life story.
6. On pg. 22, the author tells readers Amelia “could do algebra in her head.” Discuss
what that reveals about her intelligence.
LITERARY LINKS or ACTIVITIES:
Language Arts (List activity and Common Core Standards Grades 6-8 addressed by
each):
1. Select an early aviator to research. Write a report about this person’s life.
2. Using a step-by-step news writing process, construct a newspaper article or radio
announcement using an important event from Amelia Earhart’s life that illustrates her
strength of character.
8.RI.1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
8.RI.2 Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the
text, including its relationship to supporting ideas; provide an objective summary of the text.
(e.g., through comparisons, analogies, or categories).
8.RL.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas,
and poems, at the high end of grades 6-8 text complexity band independently and
proficiently.
8.W.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
8.W.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts,
and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
8.W.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Challenging Words (pronunciation, spelling, defining) (include chapter and/or page #):
Aviatrix (pg 54), affluence p. 18; squander p. 20; fledgling p. 35; aviatrix p. 42; instigate
p. 51; frenzied p. 57; vagabond p. 61;
Battle of the Book Questions are available on the link from the Young Hoosier
Book Award webpage.