Nova's Ark
Title: Novas Ark
Author: David Kirk
Published: New York: Scholastic, 1999
Suitable for: (Age/Grade level) 4-8 years K-3
Length: 32 pp.
Reading Level: 3 Interest Level 4-8 years
Genre: science fiction / humor
Plot: Nova is a robot. He has a collection of wooden animals that have been passed down in his robot family for one thousand years. Nova dreams of flying in space like his father. His teacher says, "Exploration is in your wiring." Nova was looking at the controls of his dad's ship when he pulls the lever and takes off. He finally figures out how to control the ship. After four months he runs out of fuel and lands on a planet. He makes another robot dog to be a companion. Then he makes other animals that look like his collection of wooden animals. He even built a robot elephant to trumpet an S.O.S. Nova's dad comes to the rescue but his ship crashes. Novas robot animals all offer a spare part to help rebuild his father. Nova gave his heart valve to his dad. Then they discover that the planet they have landed on is Zyte, and has crystals of unlimited energy. Nova and his dad come home as heros.
Characters:
Nova, the young robot explorer
Taspett, his father
Trumpet, the robot elephant
Use: Individual especially gifted readers
Discussion Questions:
Why did Nova take his fathers ship?
What was Novas most favorite possession?
What is Zyte and why is it important?
Do you think explorers have a lonely life? Why?
How did Nova save his father?
Related Activities:
The art in this book is made on a computer. Compare David Kirk's art to his brother's art in 'Hush Little Alien'.
Build some robot animals for your ark. You can use scrap materials.
Have a class discussion on where their parents work. Make a graph of how many have parents that travel a lot.
Related Works:
Daniel Kirk "Hush Little Alien"
Censorship Issues: none

Nova's Ark