Monsters, zombies, and other scary creatures star in tales throughout the year, but especially near Halloween! These books explore a wide range of creatures, both real and imagined, to get imaginations flowing. They make a great starting point for classroom discussions and activities!
Zombie Makers: True Stories of Nature’s Undead
by Rebecca L. Johnson
Zombies are real … but so far, the zombie-makers don’t attack humans. Yet. They do take over the brains and bodies of spiders, ants, flies, snails, and even rats. Not only that, some of these zombies are too small to avoid until it’s too late, like the teeny tiny wasps and fungal spores, and the totally invisible viruses. And then there are the brain worms! A must-read for anyone planning to hunt for zombies in their backyard!
Classroom Activity – Nature’s Mind Controllers
How do parasites, fungi, and viruses “take over” animal behavior? Divide students into small groups. Each group should choose a “zombie-maker” to explore. The students should research how their chosen parasite/fungus/virus infects its host and how it changes the host’s behavior. They can create a poster illustrating the life cycle of the zombie-maker, including infection, control, and transmission. They can be creative with labels, arrows, or thought bubbles to show how the host is being controlled. How does this strange behavior help the parasite survive? Each group can present its “zombie story” to the class.
Catching Cryptids: The Scientific Search for Mysterious Creatures
by Kim Long
The Loch Ness monster. Kraken. Giant turtles. What some people call monsters, others call cryptids: an animal whose existence is not yet substantiated by science. The emergence of DNA technology, SONAR, bioacoustics, and other advancements has enabled cryptozoologists of every stripe to seek – and sometimes discover – the species behind the monster myth.
Classroom Activity – Design Your Own Cryptid
Students can use their imaginations to design a brand-new cryptid, a mysterious creature that people might believe exists but hasn’t been proven by science. Students should describe:
- What it looks like
- Where it lives and how it survives
- Typical diet and behavior
- How it hides from humans
- What real animal or adaptation could explain it
- What scientific tests could be used to prove this creature’s existence
Once students have designed their cryptid, have them draw or create a 3D model of it. Students can also write a short newspaper article or “eyewitness report” about their cryptid discovery.
Secrets of the Dead: Mummies and Other Human Remains From Around the World
by Matt Ralphs
In most environments, when someone dies, their flesh decays, leaving only bones. But not mummies. With mummified remains, we can learn about the person and their culture, including the foods they ate and the diseases they suffered from. This book brings nearly 20 mummies to life – so to speak.
Classroom Activity – Mummy Lessons
Scientists can learn a lot about the past from mummies, including diet, health, clothing, and burial customs. Have students select one real mummy from the book and create a Mummy Fact Card that summarizes where it was found, how it was preserved, and what scientists learned. Next, it is the students’ turn to become archaeologists. Have them imagine they just discovered a mummy. What clues would they look for to understand its story? Have the students write a diary entry from the archaeologist’s perspective about the discovery.
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Carla Mooney loves to explore the world around us and discover the details about how it works. An award-winning author of numerous nonfiction science books for kids and teens, she hopes to spark a healthy curiosity and love of science in today’s young people. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, three kids, and dog. Find her at http://www.carlamooney.com, on Facebook @carlamooneyauthor, or on X @carlawrites.
Nancy Castaldo: I was fortunate to conduct on-site research on Isle Royale alongside wildlife photographer Morgan Heim. It was an incredible experience to spend time with the scientists I’d admired since college. The predator-prey study there is the longest-running of its kind in the world. We met with researchers and park scientists, often traveling by boat and then hiking into the island’s interior to observe their work firsthand. From water chemistry to tracking wolves and moose, we saw just how much goes into understanding this complex ecosystem. Isle Royale is more than just a beautiful place to visit—it’s a living laboratory, and the work done there has implications for ecosystems everywhere.
Nancy Castaldo: That’s true. For people like me, wildlife is a big part of why we love national parks. Animals bring the landscape to life—without them, so much of the magic would be missing. On Isle Royale, the wolf and moose populations are a major draw. Visitors are captivated by its wildness and the hauntingly beautiful calls of loons and wolves. The presence of these animals is essential to the health—and appeal—of the park.
