2018-2019-STEAM-Superheroes - Flipbook - Page 35
RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS
Suggested Reading List
Literature and informational books can supplement the MIT Challenges and provide entry points for teachers
who specialize in English and language arts. We encourage teachers to select books that are appropriate for
the maturity and reading level of their students. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
STEAM Superheroes (General Theme)
• El Deafo by Cece Bell (2014).
This graphic novel is the unofficial STEAM Superheroes pick! El Deafo is the superhero alter ego
of a bunny with big ears who can’t hear well. Her assistive gadget, a Phonic Ear, becomes her
superpower, allowing her to hear her teacher not just in the classroom, but all around the school.
• Miles Morales: Spiderman by Jason Reynolds (2017).
Spiderman was inspiration for two of the three STEAM Superheroes challenges: his powers come
from an animal (Super Natural), he invented his web-shooters and sewed his costume (Epic
Identity). Miles Morales is alternate retelling of the original Spiderman; you could also check out
the comic books.
• Sidekicks by Dan Santat (2011).
Sidekicks is a graphic novel about four pets vying to be Captain Amazing’s (you guessed it) sidekick.
• Rogue by Lyn Miller-Lachmann (2013).
This is a young adult novel about a girl with Asperger’s syndrome who sympathizes with the one
of the X-Men: Rogue.
Epic Identity
• Invincible Iron Man: Ironheart Vol I: Riri Williams by Brian Michael Bendis (Author), Stefano
Caselli (Illustrator), (2017).
Comic books are the classic medium of superheroes, and Iron Man is the most “MIT”
superhero. The version with Riri Williams, the young black woman who engineers her suit
resonates with current MIT culture. Fun fact: The MIT Class of 2020 will have Riri WIlliams
depicted on their Brass Rat, the MIT class ring. She is the “craftsmen,” which represents
the “hand” of MIT’s “mind and hand” motto.
• Gadget Girl: The Art of Being Invisible by Suzanne Kamata (2013).
This young adult novel is about Aiko, a girl with cerebral palsy who lives in the American Midwest
and has a “dream of becoming a great manga artist with a secret identity.” This pick is a low-tech,
art-centric alternative take on the Epic Identity theme.
• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts (2013).
This young children’s book about invention will get your students in the mindset for creating their
superhero’s gadgets and tech tool.
• Superhero by Marc Tauss (2005)
A scientist, inventor and seemingly ordinary boy, Maleek is a comic book reader and undercover
superhero. Using his scientific mind, cool gadgets and his robot, Marvyn, he jumps into action to
save the vanishing parks and playgrounds around town.
#NAEMIT
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