Fly Away

Fly Away

By: Patricia MacLachlan

Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2014

Grade level: 3 and up

Fountas and Pinnell: O

Lexile: 490L

Accelerated Reader: 3.2

Suggested Delivery: Read Aloud/Individual 

Author: Patricia MacLachlan

Summary:

Fly Away is the story of Lucy, a girl who says she cannot sing. Her little brother barely talks, but sings perfectly in tune when no one else is listening but Lucy. All Lucy wants to do is to be able to sing like the rest of her family, but she keeps that inside of her and treasures the moments she has with her little brother.  In the story, Lucy's little brother goes missing, and she knows she is the only one he will sing out to. Lucy must find her voice so she can sing their song and find her brother.

Key Words/Phrases to Describe the Book:

1. Singing

2. Family

3. Love

4. Brother-Sister bond

5. Blood is thicker than water

Key Vocabulary:

Sing: to perform a song or voice composition

Voice: the sound or sounds uttered through the mouth of living creatures,especially of human beings in speaking, shouting, singing, etc.

Family: a basic social unit consisting of parents and their children,considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not

Relationship: connection between persons by blood or marriage

Tradition: a long-established or inherited way of thinking or acting

Brave: possessing or exhibiting courage or courageous endurance

Resources:

To find out more about the author Patricia MacLachlan and other books she has written, visit this website!

A Q&A with author Patricia MacLachlan is also available, where you can see what other readers were curious about, and you can ask questions of your own.

Teaching Suggestions: 

• Have students make predictions about what the book will be about based on the cover picture
• Talk about the role of family and its significance in the story
• Go over repetitive words that are being used throughout the novel-using those words, ask students if they can think of a theme for this book.

Comprehension Strategies:

Before:Have students make predictions about what the book will be about based on the cover picture

During: Bring attention to repetitive words that are being used throughout the novel-using those words, ask students if they can think of a theme for this book.

After: Have students talk about if they have ever been in a scary situation (like Lucy's family with the flood) and what helps them get through it (like Lucy's family sings).  Do they have something of sentimental value? Do they do something? Do they sing like Lucy?

Writing Activity:

The theme of family and the role of relationships is central throughout this novel.  Students will write in essay form about what family means to them.  Do they live with both parents? Do they have any siblings? Are they close with their grandparents? How does their living condition affect their family dynamics?

Bibliography:

MacLachlan, Patricia. Fly Away. New York: Margaret K. McElderry, 2014. Print.