Swindle

Adventurous, Dishonesty, Genuine Friendship, Engaging and Relatable

Swindle by Gordon Korman

Published by Scholastic Press

Copyright 2008

“Funny and fast-paced, boys are sure to like this adventure which celebrates the unique qualities of each of Griffin's misfit friends. The kids take the law into their own hands and lie to their parents, but suffer large consequences as a result” –Story Snoops

This book written by Gordon Korman, will show children a strong friendship between two boys Griffin and Ben. Throughout the book they stick together during hard times to accomplish their goal. When Griffin plans a spooky sleepover in a haunted house his best friend Ben is the only one who shows up. That night Griffin discovers a Babe Ruth baseball card hidden away in a drawer. When he brings the baseball card to a collector called S. Wendell Palomino, he is tricked out of a million dollar reward. Mr. Palomino lies and says the card is a fake because he wants the money for himself. The boys put together a team of friends in order to steal the card back. They have to overcome huge obstacles including a mean guard dog and a security system. Griffin is always the man with the plan and he isn’t letting this plan back fire because he wants to stick up for all the children who aren’t treated seriously.

Description: Fiction

Suggested Delivery: Independent Read

Reading Level: Lexile Framework- 710L, Grades 4-7

Electronic Resources:

Gordon Korman

This is the official website of the author Gordon Korman. This site will be a good resource for children because it includes an author’s biography and also information and reviews on each book he has written.

Teen Nonfiction

This website will help children learn more about this book. This site includes useful information such as protagonists, antagonists, setting, conflicts, climax, and the theme.

Reading Guide

This is a useful website that includes a summary, author biography and also book reviews. The site also has discussion questions, which would be a good tool for teachers to use to see if students comprehended the story.

Key Vocabulary: Crestfallen, Cadaverous, Inwardly, Restively, Heckled, Stamina, and Bleary.

Teaching Suggestions:

1. Use this text to discuss why cheating and stealing is wrong.

2. Use this text for language arts lesson and have students write all the vocabulary words they didn’t understand. Then have them find each definition for those words.

3. Use this text and have students research the history of Babe Ruth.

Comprehension Strategies:

Pre-reading- Have the students only look at the front cover of the book. Have them write down on an index card what they predict the story will be about. Have them consider all the pictures and make predictions.

During Reading- Have the students write notes while reading. Give them a graphic organizer to keep their notes organized. These notes will be used for their literary discussions.

Post- Reading- Have the students participate in a literature discussion. Divide the class into groups. Each group will discuss questions they had when reading the book or any thoughts they have. Provide them with 20 minutes to discuss the book thoroughly.

Writing Activity- Have the students choose one character that was in the book to write a persuasive essay about. They will have to write about why they liked this particular character and also have them provide the characters traits, motivations, events the character was involved in and any other useful information.

Korman, Gordon. Swindle. New York: Scholastic Press, 2008. Print.