After being dead for nearly 500 years, the great Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci is back! Readers tag along as 7th graders Max, Tad, and Gina become the reincarnated da Vinci's ambassadors of the modern age—and learn about history, art, anatomy, and STEM topics along the way. Inventive and fast-paced, this story is as engaging as it is educational.
Treat yourself to a fantastic adventure with this first book in the new Innovators in Action series.
Leonardo da Vinci Gets A Do-Over
Product Type Paperback Pages 208 ISBN 978-0-9678020-6-0 Dimensions 5.5” x 8.5” Age Range 10-14 Grade Range 5-9 Language English Publication Date December 2014 "I like that the book brings to life a historical figure that kids may not know much about. The premise of the story is an interesting one. My favorite thing is the accompanying teacher's guide. This is an incredible resource with so many suggested activities for each chapter. There are activities that include many curriculum areas and that include a variety of learning styles- auditory, visual, and hands on."
"This product is a reading book that incorporates history and science in regards to Leonardo da Vinci. It has a FREE downloadable teacher's guide to further expand on the concepts and put the lessons into action. Children learn critical thinking, comprehension, analysis, creativity, discussion, reading."
"Overall, I really like the way that the Science! Naturally books introduce kids to different academic concepts. And I love the accompanying teacher's guide. The book is a good one to share with kids - especially reading it aloud and using the teacher's guide."
"I think historical fiction books are a great way to learn history and science, my son loves to read and this is a great book for him! The FREE teacher's guide is a great bonus!"
—Reviews from Academics' Choice"One of the many delights to be had in reading this blend of fact and fiction is the caliber of the writing, which proves to be as entertaining as it is illuminating. In it, the great Leonardo da Vinci finds himself brought back to life in the year 2000 upon the condition that he must 'invent or discover something that benefits all mankind.' Through interactions between Leonardo and his young present-day companions, readers are exposed to a broad range of topics - science, math, history, geography, and more - in a manner that not only holds their interest but awakens in them a hunger to delve deeper. As such, it is a boon that there is available for free download an extensive Teacher's Guide loaded with ideas and strategies for using the book as a teaching tool. With its richly drawn characters, compelling storyline, and well-researched facts, Leonardo da Vinci Gets a Do-Over proves to be a riveting page-turner that ignites in young people a passion for learning."
—Tillywig, "Brain Child" Award Winner"Mark Friedlander’s book is a clever read for students and teachers in a primarily middle school setting. In some cases, entry level high school students could tackle the book and carry ideas through to collaboration with classmates. Clever in design, the story covers all content areas of curriculum to the point at which students will be engrossed in learning and fascinated with content that they may neither appreciate nor truly understand.
The book can assist students in how to collaborate on and discuss content areas and problems that are typically not engaging or presented in a way in which students can actually experience their connections. It is an easy read filled with deep opportunities for teachers to help students explore, just as the characters do in the story. Because the characters are comparing and contrasting situations throughout the entire story, students will be engaged. It will also give teachers multiple entry points into the discussion. This book is a fascinating way to introduce STEM into your classroom."
—Cassondra Zielinski
Mercer University Atlanta, Georgia
126 MATHEMATICS TEACHING IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL ● Vol. 21, No. 2, September 2015“Teachers have a powerful new tool in this clever book. It beautifully blends one story across the entire curriculum. With non-stop action and fascinating content, students will be on the edge of their seats—making discoveries all along the way. Crossing the curriculum has never been so much fun!”
—Sonya Smith, Curriculum Specialist,
Center for Technology Outreach, Mississippi State University“This book is a delight! We used it to meet our science requirements without a significant realignment of sequence or reduction of teaching time. What makes it truly special is the range of cross-curricular opportunities found in every chapter. It is a rare book that offers so much opportunity for cooperation across disciplines.”
—Sue Garcia, Supervision-Curriculum Specialist,
Retired Educator, Spicewood, TX“Readers are treated to an intriguing view of history, mathematics, and science as these cross-century characters meet and exchange questions and explanations that help each other span a five century-long gap in knowledge. A fascinating and well-written story!”
—Daniel J. Bisaccio, Director of Science Education, Brown University“Friedlander has skillfully embedded academic concepts into this inventive and entertaining story. Through Leonardo’s time travel and the middle schooler’s teamwork, this book explores all disciplines. Kids will love the interweaving of fact and fiction!"
—Mary Smigel, BSED/MSED, Elementary Education/Gifted Education,
Montessori Academy of Lancaster"Friedlander has devised a carefully woven, well-crafted story. Readers will surely wish they could join the American middle-schoolers who befriend a hapless and ever inquisitive Leonardo da Vinci when he inexplicably shows up in modern Italy on a mysterious search for a grand invention. Learning opportunities abound throughout this clever and imaginative journey."
—Robert Prezant, Ph.D., Dean, College of Science and
Mathematics, Montclair State Univ., Montclair, NJ"This book skillfully combines history, science, technology, engineering and math. Learning about da Vinci’s creative genius 500 years ago and watching as he struggles in the present is delightful and educational. He wonders if he would be considered as smart today, challenging students to understand context and compare medieval Italy with modern day America. A fresh and exciting way to engage kids, this book is the perfect tool to inspire learning!"
—Pamela Breitberg, NBCT, Lead Science Teacher
Emiliano Zapata Academy, Chicago, IL"An American middle school group, touring Italy, comes upon a talented Renaissance reenator who insists he is Leonardo da Vinci, back from the dead. His story becomes much more believable when he produces seemingly authentic gold florins from his pouch. As he encounters the tools of modern life—photographs, bicycles, zippers—detailed concepts and discoveries fuel the story. If you want to learn about the process of invention, savor history, imagine a better future, or just enjoy a good read, sit down and savor this delightful adventure!"
—Mary Lou Blanchette Smith, Science Curriculum and Instruction
Specialist, EASTCONN Educational Service Ctr, Hampton, CT“What a delightful and unique approach to a book! If your school is involved in Problem Based Learning and cross-content curriculum integration, you’re in for an enjoyable, skillfully-done surprise. Kids will love reading and interacting with this story. Congratulations to Friedlander for his skillful blending of science, math, language arts, and history. This one’s a winner!”
—Anne Jolly, STEM Curriculum Writer and Consultant, Warrior, AL"Leonardo da Vinci is reincarnated to the 21st century where he aspires to discover an invention to benefit mankind. He is accompanied by three middle schoolers; the plot progresses quickly as they grow into adulthood. This book would be an appropriate choice for guided reading or a book club with a focus on STEM topics. Bibliography. Glossary. Index."
—Tess Reed, LMS, Ocean Lakes Elementary, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Library Media Connection, March/April 2015"This is one of the most delightful books I have reviewed for NSTA." Read the rest of the review here.
Can't wait to start this cross curricular adventure? Read a sample chapter here.
Don't miss the free downloadable Teacher's Guide, intended to extend and expand the book's educational content.
Dowload curricula articulations here.
Read the condensation here.
Want to learn more about the Renaissance master, Leonardo da Vinci?
This book is a fun and engaging way for kids to learn about an influential man, as well as other topics such as math, science, art, history, and more. If you're not done learning, here are some resources to learn more about this great man…
