Trex: Bonus Content

The first rule of being a good detective is to stick to your ABCs: Always Be Curious! In Trex, Trex and Mellie follow their curiosity, and it leads them on a life-changing adventure. If you share their thirst for knowledge, read on for links and resources to learn more about about some of the topics covered in the book, such as introversion, dry lightning, static electricity, and much, much more.

Downloads

Trex Discussion Guide

The perfect conversation starter for teachers, librarians, book clubs, and other groups who want to dig deeper into the themes of Trex. Warning: contains spoilers!

DIY Trex Scavenger Hunt

My launch party for Trex included a scavenger hunt that had kids searching for clues and solving puzzles. You can replicate this experience with a class or book club by downloading and printing Mellie’s clue book. It comes with the clues – all you have to do is hide them around your space and fill in the blanks with riddles to lead participants to their locations. Scroll to the bottom of this page for the answer to the final puzzle.  


Trex Trailer


STEM Resources

Learn about the hair-raising effects of static electricity!
Dry lightning is the most common natural origin of wildland fires and can produce strong winds that fan flames.

Static Electricity: Trex’s brain implant gives him a persistent static electric charge, which has a significant impact on his daily life. Teachers and students can explore the causes of static electricity and consider the steps someone with Trex’s condition would have to take to avoid hurting themselves and others. There are tons of activities available online that demonstrate static electricity at work. Here are some of the best: 16 Fun Electricity Experiments and Activities For Kids.

Trex in Real Life: Could Trex’s static electricity problem exist in real life? In Australia, a man reportedly built up a charge of 30,000 volts and set fire to a carpet! (Report: Man Burns Carpet with Static Shock | AP News)

Dry Lightning: Dry Lightning is any lightning that occurs without rain nearby. It’s especially dangerous for Trex, but it poses a real risk to everyone. Dry Lightning is more likely than typical lightning to cause forest fires, especially in the western portion of the United States, where it occurs most frequently. (What is a Dry Thunderstorm? | Live Science)


Mental Health Resources

The Power of Introverts: Full of insightful research and powerful examples, Susan Cain’s Quiet makes the case that introverts as a group are undervalued in our society and that we should accept – even embrace – our introverted natures. The “Quiet Manifesto” on Susan’s website states, “The next generation of quiet kids can and must be raised to know their own strengths.” And I wrote Trex for precisely that reason. There’s a version of Quiet for kids and a podcast for parents on Susan Cain’s website. (Home – Susan Cain) There’s also a great piece on Susan’s website about the differences between introversion and social anxiety, which is directly addressed in Trex: The 4 Differences Between Introversion and Social Anxiety.

Anxiety: One of the characters in Trex deals with anxiety – a sense of distress or fear when faced with uncomfortable, unfamiliar, or stressful situations. All of us experience some level of anxiety (on the first day of school, for example), but when it becomes debilitating or disruptive, it may require attention. Treatment for anxiety can range from simple tactics like breathing exercises to therapy and medication. If you’re experiencing anxiety, talk to a trusted adult or doctor, and check resources like Anxiety.org, Child Mind Institute, and CDC: Anxiety and depression in children.

Alphabetter: In the book, the characters play a game called “Alphabetter,” in which they take turns naming things that make them happy in alphabetical order. This is a simple and fun way for anyone to calm their stress and boost their mood!

Quiet by Susan Cain is a must-read for anyone
who considers themselves an introvert

Resources for Spies

Spy vs. Spy is a wordless comic strip
first published in Mad magazine in 1961.

Spy Museum: Did you know there’s an entire museum dedicated to spycraft? Future sleuths will have a blast at the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. Upon arrival, visitors receive a cover identity, an RFID-enabled badge, and a secret mission to complete. And for those who can’t make it to D.C., the Spy Museum offers a number of resources on their website, including podcasts, puzzles, and more. (Spy Resources | International Spy Museum)

Famous Female Spies: Mellie follows in the footsteps of a long line of female spies. From the Civil War to World War II, women have been covertly risking their lives on top secret missions in service to their country. Learn about some of history’s most famous and successful spies: 6 of History’s Most Notable Female Spies | HistoryHit.

Easter Egg Hunt: To kickstart your career as a future spy, I’ve included a major Easter egg (a hidden reference) within the text of Trex. If you’ve read my first book, Kingdom of Secrets, and have a keen eye, perhaps you spot the reference!


Answer to Scavenger Hunt Puzzle: Lightning never strikes the same place twice.


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