The Tween Book Club offers a selection of books across genres and topics. Participants get reading guides, activities, resources, and paper prompts.
| Age Range | 9-13 |
| Class Type | Monthly Book Club |
| Start / End Dates | November 2022; Live Session Friday, December 2 at 1pm Eastern |
| Class Size | 1-100 Learners |
Pricing Information
| Enrollment | $15 Per Student |
| Enrollment with Feedback Add-On | $45 Per Student |
About this Book
Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents City of the Plague God, an adventure based on ancient Mesopotamian mythology written by Sarwat Chadda, author of the Ash Mistry series. Characters from the Epic of Gilgamesh populate this high-stakes contemporary adventure in which all of Manhattan is threatened by the ancient god of plagues.
Thirteen-year-old Sik wants a simple life going to school and helping at his parents’ deli in the evenings. But all that is blown to smithereens when Nergal comes looking for him, thinking that Sik holds the secret to eternal life.Turns out Sik is immortal but doesn’t know it, and that’s about to get him and the entire city into deep, deep trouble.
Sik’s not in this alone. He’s got Belet, the adopted daughter of Ishtar, the goddess of love and war, on his side, and a former hero named Gilgamesh, who has taken up gardening in Central Park. Now all they have to do is retrieve the Flower of Immortality to save Manhattan from being wiped out by disease. To succeed, they’ll have to conquer sly demons, treacherous gods, and their own darkest nightmares. (publisher website synopsis)
Book Club Overview
Are you looking for a low-pressure way to include reading? Do you want supplemental reading guides focused on understanding and vocabulary? Would you like project and paper prompts themed around books? Does your learner like to meet with others to discuss what they’ve read?
Dr. Sabrina Weiss and Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason are excited to bring you this and more in the SEA Tween and Teen Book Clubs!
The supplemental components of these Book Clubs brings these up to the level your students would get in middle school and high school literature classes.
At the same time, your family is free to pick and choose how much you use, so you can adapt each Club to fit your own schedule and time constraints. Each of these has suggested writing assignments that are thought-provoking, helping students dig deeper and investigate concepts more fully.
For an additional cost, Sabrina and Michelle will provide students with meaningful feedback that focuses on their strengths and challenges. Feedback will be given for rough and final drafts of projects and papers included in the class materials.
Class materials are housed on Teachable. Learners will use Zoom and the online classroom for interactive components. Those using the Feedback Add-On will use Google Drive and/or Dropbox to submit assignments.
The purchase of the online class component includes the following:
- A suggested reading schedule
- A PDF reading guide with comprehension questions
- Vocabulary activities
- Discussion board posts in our online classroom
- Writing/multimodal project prompts related to the reading
- An invitation to a live discussion
- A recording of the summary of the live discussion
Time Commitment
The amount of time really varies by student and how much they want to participate. Those who want to do all activities, explore all resources, and participate in online discussions leading up to the live meeting could easily spend 4-5 hours a week on the class.
Those who just want to read the book and show up to the live session may spend 2-3 hours per week.
Live Sessions Meet on Zoom
We’ll meet live on Friday, December 2 at 1pm Eastern / 12pm Central / 11am Mountain / 10am Pacific Time.
Content Note
This story coincidentally includes a deity of plague and disease in New York City. It was written before the COVID pandemic and the published delayed release for a while to avoid appearing to exploit the COVID pandemic for attention. While the afflictions in the book do not closely resemble COVID, this topic may be difficult for some readers.
Also included: age-appropriate depictions of racism and other discrimination/harassment against an Iraqi-American and against Muslims, moderate fighting and violence (generally age appropriate in an action hero style), loss of sibling and grief.
To participate successfully in class, learners will need the following:
- A copy of the book City of the Plague God by Sarwat Chadda (ISBN: 9781368067324). Borrowed, used, and audio formats will work. See more edition information here: https://www.goodreads.com/work/editions/67680875-city-of-the-plague-god
- Microphone and camera for in-class participation
- Zoom (free account)
- PDF reader for accessing materials
Dr. Sabrina Weiss
Dr. Sabrina Weiss specializes in developing theoretical models that represent the ethical and social dimensions of issues at the intersection of science, technology, and society.
Visit Dr. Weiss’ Profile & Policies
Similar Courses
Dr Sabrina Weiss teaches high quality courses that work great for gifted and twice exceptional students. They have excellent skills in engaging their students in the online learning environment. They teach at an appropriately challenging level that draws in their gifted learners. Their emotional intelligence shows in how they coach gifted and twice exceptional students through moments of struggle and through the occasional challenging social interaction. They appropriately reach out to parents and partners with them in supporting the success of their students. Overall, I highly recommend them. Clearly, they care deeply about their students and they have the skills to help them learn and to set them up for success. -K. B.
Appropriately challenging level that draws in their gifted learners
Seamlessly blending academic rigor, complex real-world issues, and individual experiences, Dr. Weiss’s classes are engaging, eye-opening, and most of all, fun. Dr. Weiss’s teaching has a strong interpersonal focus, both on the macro level, examining societal issues, and on the micro level, fostering relationships and discussion between students. Dr. Weiss is one of the most intelligent, eloquent, and supportive teachers I’ve ever had, and I can think of nobody I would trust more to tackle complex issues in a relatable, student-and-community-focused way. -K. R. (Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers class)
Blending academic rigor, complex real-world issues, and individual experiences
Dr. Weiss both understands learner support needs and provides rigorous, engaging, ethical class discussions. I have a twice-exceptional kiddo who has a lot of anxiety around speaking, Dr. Weiss met him where he was at; he now more confidently expresses himself in groups. Classes always tackled “big” ideas, they definitely scratched my child’s itch for meaningful, deep discussion. -B.E.
Meaningful, deep discussion
I just feel like everyone should know how incredible these classes are
We have thoroughly enjoyed ancient history with Sam Matalone Cook and would love to continue following the history courses under her instruction. Michelle’s writing workshop was a welcomed addition to our semester and the ease of adding on a quick workshop to the semester was appreciated. I do wish that I could take classes, too. The great selection makes me jealous; Fairy Tales and Feminism would be so incredible to join in and to learn with Sam! And the LGBTQ+ history and US courses! Blair’s enthusiasm for science comes across strongly and is encouraging for the young learners. So many great classes- so little time.
Sheila and Elisa
So many great classes- so little time.
From homeschooling parent classes to learn how to best guide our learners to outsourcing subject classes with passionate teachers, SEA Online Classes have been a vital part of our homeschooling journey. I am so grateful for the variety of subjects offered and for the wonderful team making it all happen. We are happy to support SEA online classes, where we hope to be learning for years to come! Outsourcing some of our subjects has been a positive change to our homeschooling curriculum. It has allowed myself and children to stay on target this year and I’m very appreciative of the teachers and this forum for our learning. Sheila
I am so grateful for the variety of subjects offered and for the wonderful team making it all happen
SEA online classes have a way about them that ENCOURAGES my child in a way that I know that EVERY instructor will bring my child to life, and empower my child to work harder as she WANTS to do her best. I never worry about a teacher who shames or uses cohesion in class. That is a gift! SEA has teachers of very high character and professionalism.
SEA has teachers of very high character and professionalism
Biology 2 has been a well structured class. The course content and materials cover the subject well and the weekly meetings have been welcomed for continuity. Blair’s enthusiasm for the subject comes across strongly and is encouraging for the young learners. Sheila and Elisa
Biology 2 has been a well structured class
From the student: The instructors made the material, which might sound bland and boring, super fun. Blair is an exciting teacher who is clearly very enthusiastic about her work.
From the parent: Blair is very supportive of her students and was prompt with communication if we ever needed anything outside of class hours. I would recommend her classes to anyone!
Rachel and Carlos
Blair is an exciting teacher who is clearly very enthusiastic about her work.
Blair really brings the subject to life when she teaches. My daughter can’t help but be so excited about the topic she is hearing about from Blair! Marine Biology has such amazing nuances on the amazing creatures of the ocean. I found myself wanting to listen in on my daughters class, as I LOVED hearing so many cool things about kelp, and endangered species. My daughter leads the way when it is time for this class. (and not all her classes) She gets to class early to chit chat and see her instructors and LOVES learning in such a safe, and fun environment. Colleen and Millie
Blair really brings the subject to life when she teaches
