Visual Arts Unit - Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older

Daniel José Older is a famous author who writes exciting stories for kids and grown-ups! He was born in the United States and loves to write about diverse characters and cultures. Daniel José Older believes that everyone's story is important and should be heard. He has written many books, including the popular "Shadowshaper" series, which is about a girl named Sierra who can bring her art to life. His books are full of magic, adventure, and friendship. Daniel José Older is an amazing author who inspires us to embrace our own stories and celebrate our differences.

What kind of stories does Daniel José Older write?
Where was Daniel José Older born?
What is the "Shadowshaper" series about?
What are some elements you can find in Daniel José Older's books?
Why is Daniel José Older an amazing author?

Shadowshaper

Shadowshaper is an exciting book written by Daniel José Older. It tells the story of a young girl named Sierra Santiago who discovers she has the power to bring art to life.

Sierra lives in Brooklyn, New York, and loves painting murals on the walls of her community. One day, she notices that the murals are fading and strange things start happening. Sierra soon learns that she is part of a long line of shadowshapers, people who can connect with spirits through art.

With the help of her friends, Sierra embarks on a thrilling adventure to uncover the secrets of her family and save her community. Along the way, she discovers the power of her unique abilities and learns about the importance of heritage and cultural identity.

Shadowshaper is a captivating book that combines fantasy, mystery, and art. It celebrates diversity and explores themes of friendship, identity, and the importance of community. The story will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you think about the power of art in our lives.

What is the main character's name in Shadowshaper?
Where does Sierra live?
What special power does Sierra have?
What themes are explored in Shadowshaper?
Why is art important in the story?

Visit to the Birthplace of Shadowshaper

Hi, my name is Tommy and I am 8 years old. Today, I want to tell you about my visit to the birthplace of Daniel José Older. Have you ever heard of him? He is a famous author who writes really cool books for kids like me!

We went to the city called New York, in the United States, where Daniel José Older was born. It was so exciting to visit the same place where he grew up and got his inspiration to write all those amazing stories. We explored the streets and saw the buildings where he used to live.

In the same city, we also visited a tourist attraction called the Statue of Liberty. It's a huge statue that stands tall on an island in the middle of the sea. We took a boat ride to reach there, and it was so much fun! The statue was really big, and I felt so small standing next to it.

What is the name of the author I visited the birthplace of?
Where was the author born?
What is the name of the city we visited?
What did we see in the city?
How did we reach the Statue of Liberty?

Your Turn!

After reading Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older, how about creating your own piece of writing based on the book? Perhaps you may prefer to write a book review of the book instead? Another idea might be to give a summary of the book or create a picture that summarises the book. Perhaps you could redesign the book cover? Whatever you or your teacher decides you try and do, good luck!