Each Tiny Spark

by Pablo Cartaya

Emilia Torres has a mind that wanders and attention that's hard to hold. It's causing problems at school and home, and she hold out hope that her dad's return from deployment is going to set everything right. 

It doesn't. 

Follow Emilia as she explores what it means to be herself — even when her mind works differently than others' — and what it means to be a family — even when it doesn't look how she expected.

How Book Club Classes Work

Learners will have access to a range of materials including reading guides, supplemental links, final projects, and a live discussion invitation.

Families are welcome to use as many or as few of the suggested resources and activities as they'd like to fit their interest and schedules.

Book Club Materials

  • Suggested Reading Schedule

  • Reading Guides with Comprehension Questions (PDF and Google Slides)

  • Vocabulary and Reading Activities

  • Writing/Multimodal Project Prompts

  • Live Discussion Session

  • Final Project Feedback Rubrics

Ages:

11-13

Content Note:

This book is written for middle grade readers and handles its heavier topics in age-appropriate ways. It includes mentions of military deployment, neurodivergence and some bullying around it, and immigration and uncertainty because of it.

Families are always encouraged to pre-screen materials if they have concerns. 

Supplies:

  • A copy of the book Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya (ISBN: 9780451479747).
    Used and borrowed copies will work just fine! If your learner is going to participate in final projects and reading guides, I recommend having a physical copy even if they primarily read the ebook or audiobook. (Dayla Learning Bookshop Link)
  • Zoom account (free) for live discussion participants
  • Microphone and camera recommended for live discussion participants
  • PDF reader
  • Access to printer recommended

Live Session:

Tuesday, April 27 at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central/2pm Mountain/1pm Pacific

Live sessions last about one hour. Those who cannot attend the live session will have access to a video version after the class ends. 

Enrichment and Feedback: 

The base class includes rubrics for at-home grading and feedback. The following additions are available for this Book Club: 

  • Feedback Add-On ($30)- Receive video feedback on a Rough Draft of the Final Project. Receive written feedback on a Final Draft of the revised Final Project.
  • Themed Escape Room ($12)- Participants in this Book Club will have the option to join a themed virtual escape room to work collaboratively and explore the text more deeply.


Sign Up Now!

Meet Your Teacher!

Michelle Parrinello-Cason

Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason is the founder of Dayla Learning. She has a PhD in rhetoric and composition, a passion for helping students find their writing voice, and two homeschooling children of her own. Michelle has taught in a wide variety of settings including six years as a full-time college professor. She has been teaching virtual and in-person homeschool writing and humanities classes for more than five years. Michelle believes in meeting students where they are and — as any of her previous students will tell you — believes deeply that there is no such thing as a bad rough draft!