MINRS - By Kevin Sylvester
What happens when Earth has depleted all of its resources and only one company own the only source of ore left? A smart, suspenseful, action filled science fiction thriller from Kevin Sylvester.
When MiNRs opens, Christopher appears to be a typical kid, going to school in a mining town. However, this is a far from typical mining town, because this ‘town’ is a small space colony on an asteroid named “Perses.” At one point, Perses was on a collision course with Earth; however, a scientist named Hans Melming was able to use rockets and gravity to propel it into a habitable part of orbit. He then set up a colony so that people could mine the ore on the asteroid; soon this asteroid becomes the only source of ore left. With Earth’s resources depleted, the members of the colony seem unaware of the target on their back.
The inhabitants of Perses are busy preparing a black out caused by solar interference, meaning that for a month, their communications with Earth will be knocked out. Blackouts mean no protection and no warnings, and within minutes of the blackout, their worst fears are realized as ‘Landers’, and unknown group from Earth, attack, with the intention of stealing the ore. They bomb the facility and the adults are killed, leaving only a few children able to seek shelter underground in the tunnels of the mine. Christopher immediately goes into survival mode, utilizing his strong mathematical and scientific skills; he makes plans to help his fellow survivors. His parents had backup plan if something went wrong during a blackout; unfortunately that plan is in code. Christopher, his best friend Elena and the other children must survive below the surface, thwart their attackers, and decipher the code to figure out the map to find the beacon just to have a chance for survival.
A great science fiction novel that leads us to speculate what the world would be like in a different setting. This is a great book where we see the naïve protagonist slowly realized that the status quo that he has accepted is flawed. Christopher is not only dealing with the immediate physical threat, but also force to think critically about the political and social issues of how the asteroid colony was formed, governed and maintained by the adult. The children in the novel need to deal with the aftershock seeing family members blown up by bombs, and the reactions of the different characters to the shock of the events is carefully crafted, creating a great starting point for discussion on how individuals have differing responses to the same trauma.
When MiNRs opens, Christopher appears to be a typical kid, going to school in a mining town. However, this is a far from typical mining town, because this ‘town’ is a small space colony on an asteroid named “Perses.” At one point, Perses was on a collision course with Earth; however, a scientist named Hans Melming was able to use rockets and gravity to propel it into a habitable part of orbit. He then set up a colony so that people could mine the ore on the asteroid; soon this asteroid becomes the only source of ore left. With Earth’s resources depleted, the members of the colony seem unaware of the target on their back.
The inhabitants of Perses are busy preparing a black out caused by solar interference, meaning that for a month, their communications with Earth will be knocked out. Blackouts mean no protection and no warnings, and within minutes of the blackout, their worst fears are realized as ‘Landers’, and unknown group from Earth, attack, with the intention of stealing the ore. They bomb the facility and the adults are killed, leaving only a few children able to seek shelter underground in the tunnels of the mine. Christopher immediately goes into survival mode, utilizing his strong mathematical and scientific skills; he makes plans to help his fellow survivors. His parents had backup plan if something went wrong during a blackout; unfortunately that plan is in code. Christopher, his best friend Elena and the other children must survive below the surface, thwart their attackers, and decipher the code to figure out the map to find the beacon just to have a chance for survival.
A great science fiction novel that leads us to speculate what the world would be like in a different setting. This is a great book where we see the naïve protagonist slowly realized that the status quo that he has accepted is flawed. Christopher is not only dealing with the immediate physical threat, but also force to think critically about the political and social issues of how the asteroid colony was formed, governed and maintained by the adult. The children in the novel need to deal with the aftershock seeing family members blown up by bombs, and the reactions of the different characters to the shock of the events is carefully crafted, creating a great starting point for discussion on how individuals have differing responses to the same trauma.
Themes: Natural Resources, Leadership, Survival, Problem Solving, Belonging, Community, Sacrifice
Recommended Grades - 5 to 7
Great as a Read Aloud Novel Study, In Parallel with companion Novels, or in Literature Circles with other Science Fiction Novels
Recommended Grades - 5 to 7
Great as a Read Aloud Novel Study, In Parallel with companion Novels, or in Literature Circles with other Science Fiction Novels
Litereature Circles - Possible Groupings
Distopian' / Science Fiction (Discovering the Truth, the cracks in the perfection, The Secrets Adults Keep)
City of Embers - Jeanne DuPrau The Giver - Lois Lowry (or consider Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry) Among the Hidden - Margaret Peterson Haddix House of Scorpion - Nancy Farmer Invitation to the Game - Monica Hughes Mystery / Adventure Mr. Lemoncello's Library - Chris Grabenstein The Blackthorn Key - Kevin Sands The Westing Game - Ellen Raskin From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler - e.l. konigsburg The London Eye Mystery - Siobhan David Chasing Vermeer - Blue Balliet The Night Gardener - Jonathan Auxier Canadian Authors The Night Gardener - Jonathan Auxier Neil Flambe and the Marco Polo Murders - Kevin Sylvester The Nest - Kenneth Oppel Silverwing - Kenneth Oppel Elijahof Buxton - Christopher Paul Curtis Breadwinner; I am Taxi - Debroah Ellis Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgomery The Sky is Falling; The WHole Truth- Kit Pearson Lost in the Barrons - Farley Mowat Gordan Korman Eric Wilson |
Child Slavery / Labour (You could include the novel, or just use Chapter 17 as an anchor text)
Iqbal - Francesco D'Adamo Holes - Louis Sacher Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens (An abridged version, or just watch the movie for comparison) Sold - Patricia McCormick Chains - Laurie Halse Anderson Social Justice (You could include the novel, or just use Chapter 17 as an anchor text) Sold - Patricia McCormick Homeless Bird - Gloria Whelan The Breadwinner - Deborah Ellis I am Taxi - Debrah Ellis A Long Walk to Water - Linda Sue Park Iqbal - Francesco D'Adamo I am Malala - Malalay Yousafzai The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - John Boyne |
Reading Group Guide - Simon & Schuster Comprhension/ Recal Questions with Answer Key Responding to Quotes and Discussion Questions sorted by chapter. (PDF Version) Respondind to Chapter Titles (PDF Version) A very effective strategy I have used with other novels that have chapter titles is to have students complete a response log after each chapter based on the chapter title. Basically, they need to ensure that their response clarifies why the author used that chapter title and its significance to the greater story that is unfolding. I have prepared a list of just the chapter title here. Parallel Novel Study When I first finished reading this book, my first thought was to do it as a Parallel Novel study with City of Ember. The characters in both novels face challenges that parallel each other but are solved in different ways (Or are they). I thought comparing the lead characters from both novels would lead to some powerful writing and comparison. A Parrallel Novel Study with Oliver Twist would also be great. This is a novel that he |
Just use Chapter 17 as a short story. Child Labour/Slavery concept.
Companion Novel while Studying Natural Resources Consider this passage from the novel: “A series of images passed across the screen as the man described the wonders technology had brought to the world – solar energy, medical miracles, superfast computer. Then dramatic music signaled a change in the story. “For centuries miner had uncovered the minerals and nutrients that kept the whole system of civilization working smoothly. But resources are finite. Silicon, platinum, gold, silver, and titanium had been depleted. Crops failed. Technology failed. Earth was running out of the building blocks for life.” (p. 31) - Possible Questions to frame the unit, while also reading MiNRs - How do I use natural resources? Is Canada's use of Natural Resources sustainable? What are the impacts on me if a resource runs out, or is no longer available or affordable? How do we impact the environment on a daily basis? Do we really need all the resources we use and the space/things that we demand? How are humans responsible for their environment? |
Powerful Quotes to Ponder
(PDF Version)
“I don’t have time to explain it all. Humans are complex. We’ve always told you wer were convinced of the worthiness of this mission. We came to Perses to do great things. . . . But power, money . . . Those do funny things to people.” (p. 60)
(PDF Version)
“I don’t have time to explain it all. Humans are complex. We’ve always told you wer were convinced of the worthiness of this mission. We came to Perses to do great things. . . . But power, money . . . Those do funny things to people.” (p. 60)
After the Book - Extension Activities:
Foreshadowing:
Your mother and I would have never brought you here if we weren't sure this would be safe and secure. Space is not always the best place for kids. For kids . . . " He trailed off and rubbed his hands together again. (p.47) After finishing the book, what does this quote now foreshadow to? Why do you think Christopher's father doesn't tell him about his past?
What is a Hero
Consider these two quotes from the novel:
"Hans Melming, the man behind the company, was a genius and a scientist of almost unlimited creativity. He was one of my heroes."(p.4)
Vs.
"You know Nichols. Your dad and mom might be dead, but they were real heroes". . . "Your mom led him [Alek] through the smoke to the roof. She did the same for Finn and Mandeep." "We're alive down her because of them." (p.79)
What makes someone a hero? What qualities to heroes have?
Propaganda - What is it and what is it used for?
When the book opens Christopher talks about the following message that were all over the place. How is this message a form of propaganda? How was it successful? What happens when Christopher realizes what Melming Mine was doing?
The Great Mission is Everyone’s Mission.
You are what makes it great.
Melming Mining is a green company.
Remember to always compost your water
Put people ahead of profit
Safety first.
Perses is our home.
We are all caretakers.
How is the message connected to what Christopher's father says to him in Chapter 5?
There was a poster on the wall of the infirmary that showed a smiling miner in a hardhat, along with the slogan WE ARE WHAT MAKES MELMING MINING GREAT. WE ALL WORK TOGETHER (p. 75)
Read the Picture Book Mao and Me – Look at how brilliantly Moa uses Propaganda. Connect!
Your mother and I would have never brought you here if we weren't sure this would be safe and secure. Space is not always the best place for kids. For kids . . . " He trailed off and rubbed his hands together again. (p.47) After finishing the book, what does this quote now foreshadow to? Why do you think Christopher's father doesn't tell him about his past?
What is a Hero
Consider these two quotes from the novel:
"Hans Melming, the man behind the company, was a genius and a scientist of almost unlimited creativity. He was one of my heroes."(p.4)
Vs.
"You know Nichols. Your dad and mom might be dead, but they were real heroes". . . "Your mom led him [Alek] through the smoke to the roof. She did the same for Finn and Mandeep." "We're alive down her because of them." (p.79)
What makes someone a hero? What qualities to heroes have?
Propaganda - What is it and what is it used for?
When the book opens Christopher talks about the following message that were all over the place. How is this message a form of propaganda? How was it successful? What happens when Christopher realizes what Melming Mine was doing?
The Great Mission is Everyone’s Mission.
You are what makes it great.
Melming Mining is a green company.
Remember to always compost your water
Put people ahead of profit
Safety first.
Perses is our home.
We are all caretakers.
How is the message connected to what Christopher's father says to him in Chapter 5?
There was a poster on the wall of the infirmary that showed a smiling miner in a hardhat, along with the slogan WE ARE WHAT MAKES MELMING MINING GREAT. WE ALL WORK TOGETHER (p. 75)
Read the Picture Book Mao and Me – Look at how brilliantly Moa uses Propaganda. Connect!