Power Up
#1 in Power Up Graphic Series
What’s inside...
This inventive graphic novel that unfolds online and IRL takes readers from the halls of middle school, to epic robot video game battles, and back again.
Miles and Rhys know each other only as Gryphon and Backslash, and in the video game Mecha Melee they’re an unstoppable team. They’re the best friends they’ve got, online or in the real world, and they don’t even realize they go to the same middle school.
But real-life wrongdoing blasts their duo into a crater the size of Arcticon. With life online and off a complete mess and BattleCon—and the Every Game Ever tournament—just weeks away, can the boys play their way back to each other?
Why read this book
- Promotes STEM education through engaging storytelling.
- Encourages creativity and innovative thinking in children.
- Characters model teamwork and perseverance.
- Ideal for interactive parent-child reading sessions.
Character compass
Miles
Rhys
Discussion points
What is one superpower you would like to have, and how would you use it to help others?
How did the characters in the book work together to solve problems? Can you think of a time when you worked with someone else to solve a problem?
What challenges did the characters face and how did they overcome them?
How do you think the story would change if it happened in our hometown?
What did you learn from the book about being brave and trying new things?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think deeply about the questions by asking them to elaborate on their answers.
Link the discussion to real-life scenarios to make the conversation more relatable and meaningful.
Praise your child's responses and ideas to boost their confidence in expressing themselves.
Use the book’s illustrations to spark more detailed observations and discussions about the story.
End the conversation by asking your child how they might act differently in their daily life after reading the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: In 'Power Up,' characters work together to solve puzzles and overcome challenges, emphasizing the importance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of cooperating with others to achieve common goals, which can be applied in school projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving Skills
Explanation: The book features characters facing various obstacles that they resolve through critical thinking and creativity.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and creatively in their daily lives, whether in academic tasks or personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Characters in 'Power Up' encounter setbacks yet continue to strive towards their goals, demonstrating resilience.
Real-World Application: Kids are inspired to persist through difficulties in their studies, hobbies, and relationships.
Example Lesson: Importance of Learning from Mistakes
Explanation: As characters try different solutions, they learn from what does not work, highlighting the importance of learning from errors.
Real-World Application: Children understand that making mistakes is a part of learning and that growth comes from understanding and correcting these mistakes.
Example Lesson: Valuing Diversity
Explanation: The book includes a diverse cast of characters, each contributing unique skills to the group, teaching the value of diverse abilities and perspectives.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children appreciate diversity in their own communities and learn the importance of inclusivity and respect for others.