|
InvestiGators: Class Action (InvestiGators, 8)
Last updated Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Author: John Patrick Green
Date of Publication: 2024
ISBN: 125084990X
Grade Level: 4th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Aug. 2025
Synopsis:
The InvestiGators are back…to school?! Mango and Brash have always been a class act but can these alligator detectives convincingly go undercover as average middle-school students? Why has the super-spy organization S.U.I.T. been assigned protection detail for a small-town team mascot? Is it a coincidence that the school happens to be the same one that Agent Mango (just barely) graduated from? Is Mango's family in danger? Will Brash pass home economics? Is Friday still pizza day?
| Note to readers: |
| • |
This is a graphic novel, kind of like the comics! Note that this is number EIGHT in the Investigators series. The author John Patrick Green, has also created an overlapping series, Agents of S.U.I.T. (Special Undercover Investigation Teams).
|
| Discussion topics for before reading: |
| • |
Have any of you heard of the InvestiGATORS or Agents of SUIT series before? Which books have you read from it? What did you think?
|
| • |
Why are they called investiGATORS? (Look at the pictures - they are alligators). How are they like and different from real alligators?
Vocabulary
|
| • |
botany, botanical garden -botany is the scientific study of plants, including their physiology, structure, genetics, ecology, distribution, classification, and economic importance. A botanical garden is an establishment where plants are grown for display to the public and often for scientific study. We have at least three in Los Angeles County: The Los Angeles County arboretum and the South Coast Botanic Garden (both run by our local government) and the Huntington Gardens.
|
| • |
flora - the plants of a particular region or habitat
|
| • |
component - a part or element of a larger whole
|
| • |
hoist - to raise or lift, especially by some mechanical appliance
|
| • |
villain - a character whose evil actions or motives are important to the plot.
|
| • |
foil - prevent (something considered wrong or undesirable) from succeeding.
|
| • |
mascot - a person or thing that is supposed to bring good luck or that is used to symbolize a particular event or organization.
|
| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
| • |
The Stinking corpse lily, or rafflesia arnoldii is a REAL plant. Would you like to go visit one next time it is in bloom? (p.6)
|
| • |
Have you ever known anyone who got a pet fish or a baby alligator and flushed it down the toilet? That is the joke that Mango is referring to in the bottom panel of page 7, and pages 9-10.
|
| • |
What could you use a car wash to clean, besides cars? Pet alligators? (pages 13-15) What steps are there that are in a real car wash? (Have the kids ever been to a car wash? If not, maybe you want to talk about these steps.)
|
| • |
The InvestiGators are back…to school?! Mango and Brash have always been a class act but can these alligator detectives convincingly go undercover as average middle-school students?
|
| • |
Why has the super-spy organization S.U.I.T. been assigned protection detail for a small-town team mascot?
|
| • |
Is it a coincidence that the school happens to be the same one that Agent Mango (just barely) graduated from?
|
| Craft ideas: |
| • |
Draw your own graphic novel page! A blank template is printed on the back of this month's word search
|
| • |
Make a booklet by folding 2 sheets of paper in half. On the "cover," writing ACRONYMS.On the inside of the booklet, make a list of acronyms representing something you use or somewhere you go regularly.
|
| • |
Make an alligator mask, headband, or draw an outline of an alligator and cut it out. Then decorate with googly eyes and crayon.
|
| Special activities: |
| • |
Do the word search. A blank graphic novel page is printed on the back.
|
| • |
REMINDER: if you don’t have air conditioning, on a very hot day your public library has AC to help
keep you cool.
|
*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
|
