Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada Kelly

Life is difficult on the island of Sanlagita. To the west looms a vengeful mountain, one that threatens to collapse and bury the village at any moment. To the north, a dangerous fog swallows sailors who dare to venture out, looking for a more hospitable land. And what does the future hold for young girls? Chores and more chores.

When Lalani Sarita’s mother falls gravely ill, twelve-year-old Lalani faces an impossible task—she must leave Sanlagita and find the riches of the legendary Mount Isa, which towers on an island to the north. But generations of men and boys have died on the same quest—how can an ordinary girl survive the epic tests of the archipelago? And how will she manage without Veyda, her best friend?

Book description from http://www.erinentradakelly.com/book/lalani-of-the-distant-sea/

Snacks

• Swedish fish and goldfish crackers (Page 112: “We eat fish from the southern sea.”)

Activities

• Arrowhead necklace -- I gave each girl an arrowhead and some embroidery thread, and we made an arrowhead necklace. (This is a little different from Lalani, who wears a pouch around her neck with the arrowhead inside. But I thought girls would be more likely to wear an arrowhead necklace than a pouch necklace.)

• Popsicle stick boat -- We practiced being shipbuilders like the men in Sangalita, but we made our boats out of popsicle sticks. The girls could do their own idea, or I gave instructions for a boat. (The instructions I gave were for the "difficult boat" on https://www.craftysticks.com/Popsicle-Boat-Craft_b_2.html.)

• Quote coloring page -- I gave the girls a small piece of cardstock with a quote coloring page on it. The quote says, "Sometimes the only way out is through," something that Lalani's mom said in the story.

• Character/Creature Profile -- I got this worksheet from the educator's guide on the author's website. Since the book was full of unique creatures, this gives kids the chance to use their imagination to create their own creature.