First Chapter Friday The Last Resort PLUS Interview

Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd · Beginner ·🍎 Teaching & Learning Design ·6mo ago

About this lesson

Each Friday, I share the first chapter of a book perfect for middle grade readers—and today’s pick marks an exciting new evolution in storytelling from Erin Entrada Kelly, New York Times bestselling and Newbery Medal–winning author. Welcome to The Last Resort! Be sure to watch the entire video for two special features: ✨ A mystery quote reveal (shared one word at a time) ✨ An exclusive author interview with Erin Entrada Kelly and Jasmine Warga, who continues the story in Book 2 📖 About the Book: Twelve-year-old Lila has big plans for the summer—fix her friendships and stop being labeled “too dramatic.” But everything changes when her estranged Grandpa Clem dies, forcing her family to spend the summer in Ohio at his eerie Victorian inn. Strange things start happening almost immediately. A mysterious car accident. People in old-fashioned clothes that only Lila can see. And then… Grandpa Clem appears again, claiming he didn’t die of a heart attack—he was murdered. Soon Lila learns the truth: the inn isn’t just a bed & breakfast—it’s a portal between the living and the dead, a waystation for ghosts on their journey to the afterlife. With the help of her brother Caleb and a ghost-obsessed neighbor named Teddy, Lila must solve a murder, stop dangerous spirits, and face the very drama she promised to leave behind. The Last Resort blends mystery, humor, and the supernatural into a genre-bending, interactive reading experience where ghosts quite literally emerge from the pages—inviting readers to help uncover the truth. ✨ Teachers: This First Chapter Friday is perfect for discussions about narrative structure, character growth, unreliable perception, and how authors blend mystery with speculative fiction. Ideal for middle school ELA classrooms and book clubs. Watch. Predict. And step inside a hotel where not all guests have a pulse. Helpful Classroom Links 📺 First Chapter Friday Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB 📝 2

Original Description

Each Friday, I share the first chapter of a book perfect for middle grade readers—and today’s pick marks an exciting new evolution in storytelling from Erin Entrada Kelly, New York Times bestselling and Newbery Medal–winning author. Welcome to The Last Resort! Be sure to watch the entire video for two special features: ✨ A mystery quote reveal (shared one word at a time) ✨ An exclusive author interview with Erin Entrada Kelly and Jasmine Warga, who continues the story in Book 2 📖 About the Book: Twelve-year-old Lila has big plans for the summer—fix her friendships and stop being labeled “too dramatic.” But everything changes when her estranged Grandpa Clem dies, forcing her family to spend the summer in Ohio at his eerie Victorian inn. Strange things start happening almost immediately. A mysterious car accident. People in old-fashioned clothes that only Lila can see. And then… Grandpa Clem appears again, claiming he didn’t die of a heart attack—he was murdered. Soon Lila learns the truth: the inn isn’t just a bed & breakfast—it’s a portal between the living and the dead, a waystation for ghosts on their journey to the afterlife. With the help of her brother Caleb and a ghost-obsessed neighbor named Teddy, Lila must solve a murder, stop dangerous spirits, and face the very drama she promised to leave behind. The Last Resort blends mystery, humor, and the supernatural into a genre-bending, interactive reading experience where ghosts quite literally emerge from the pages—inviting readers to help uncover the truth. ✨ Teachers: This First Chapter Friday is perfect for discussions about narrative structure, character growth, unreliable perception, and how authors blend mystery with speculative fiction. Ideal for middle school ELA classrooms and book clubs. Watch. Predict. And step inside a hotel where not all guests have a pulse. Helpful Classroom Links 📺 First Chapter Friday Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB 📝 2
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