Mentor Text: The Dolphin Adventure!

This is my first Must Read Mentor Texts linky! I read these every week and want to link up. So I am now finally joining in the fun.

I've had this book on my mind for the past week because I ALWAYS start the year off reading it. The reason I've had it on my mind is because I can't find my copy! I actually have two copies and I can't find either of them. For those that don't know I am moving back to 4th grade next year which means a switch in schools. I know, I KNOW I packed the book in a certain box but it isn't there.

Anyway, The Dolphin Adventure is by far my favorite book to get kids hooked on reading at the beginning of every year.

Summary: Wayne is diving in the ocean one day when he meets a family of dolphins. The baby dolphin has been injured and the dolphins go to Wayne for help. Sharks come while Wayne is trying to get the baby dolphin to stop bleeding and the parents fend off the predators. 

I always have a student ask me after a we are into the book a bit if it is a true story. I purposefully do not tell students when we start the book that it is a nonfiction short story because I've had students tune out when they hear that. But after they are into the book and absolutely captivated, they are completely shocked to learn it is a true story. When this happens I can honestly see their little brains churning as they digest this really good book is nonfiction. We then have a great conversation about what nonfiction means.

The book is actually quite short. I could read it aloud to my kids in around 45 minutes. They love it! After we read it together I put a copy out and one student or another will have it all year long!