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The 13-Story Treehouse



Last updated Sunday, January 8, 2017

Author: Andy Griffiths
Illustrator: Terry Denton
Date of Publication: 2013
ISBN: 1250026903
Grade Level: 3rd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jan. 2017

Synopsis: Andy and Terry live in a treehouse. But it's not just any old treehouse, it's the most amazing treehouse in the world! This treehouse has thirteen stories, a bowling alley, a see-through swimming pool, a secret underground laboratory, and a marshmallow machine that follows you around and automatically shoots marshmallows into your mouth whenever you are hungry. Life would be perfect for Andy and Terry if it wasn't for the fact that they have to write their next book, which is almost impossible because there are just so many distractions, including thirteen flying cats, giant bananas, mermaids, a sea monsters pretending to be mermaids, enormous gorillas, and dangerous burp gas-bubblegum bubbles!

Note to readers:
•  The characters names are the same as the authors.
•  There are lots of pictures.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Who are the characters? What are their names?
•  What's inside the 13-story tree house?
•  What do Andy & Terry do?
•  Would you like to live in a tree house?

Vocabulary

•  laboratory - a room or building with special equipment for doing scientific experiments and tests
•  parcel - a thing or collection of things wrapped in paper in order to be carried or sent by mail.
•  apparatus - the technical equipment or machinery needed for a particular activity or purpose.
•  tentacles - a slender flexible limb or appendage in an animal, especially around the mouth of an invertebrate, used for grasping, moving about, or bearing sense organs.

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  How many animals does Jill have? Can you name them?
•  Have you ever been in a treehouse?
•  What animals or things would you want in your treehouse?
•  What is a mermaid?

Craft ideas:
•  Draw a big tree. Add a drawing of a treehouse or use craft sticks & string for the ladder.
•  Draw a big map of your neighborhood, include streets, sidewalks, houses, and treehouses. (See inside cover for example)
•  Make your own sea monster.
•  Make a 3-page storybook or cartoon with lots of drawings.
•  Check out our January craft ideas on Pinterest! https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/january-2017-mystery-adventure/

Special activities:
•  Play a round of charades. (Act like a sea monster.)

*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!