Fictional Stories in Science
Using Fictional Stories as a Pathway to Science Content
Featured Book: “The Most Magnificent Thing”
Illustrator: Ashley Spires
Book Summary: “One day, a little girl has a wonderful idea. With the help of her canine assistant, she is going to make THE MOST MAGNIFICENT THING! She knows just how it will look. She knows just how it will work. Easy-peasy! But making the most magnificent thing turns out to be harder than she thinks. She measures, hammers, fastens and adjusts again and again, but the thing keeps turning out wrong. If only the thing WOULD JUST WORK!”
Another story about a female engineer! I love this new (and hopeful) trend! Keep them coming I say (and with multicultural characters). A relatable story and journey of passion and construction in all forms. I especially enjoyed the depiction of the scientific method in its brilliant and messy form-rather than the often clear and linear form shared in school through science books, posters, and too often instruction. This story also captures the emotional roller coaster the pursual of an idea can be, and a possible path, a walk, to regain perspective.
This book also makes great connections to multiple content areas and life lessons. It reminded me of my writing journey and why I keep all my drafts–there are gems in all of them.
Science Topics
- Scientific method
- Engineering
- Design
- Process
- Sketches
- Models
- Construction
- Creativity
- Collaboration
Literacy Connections
- Process
- Drafts
- Storyboards
- Story elements
- Design
- Perspective
- Letting drafts breathe
Sociocultural Connections
- Female character as the main character
- Female character with a science identity
- Female character as science knowledge holder and producer
- Emotions of trial and error
- Perspective
- Science also involves collaboration
- Reuse-Recycle-Refurbish
- Community identity
Fictional Stories in Science 
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