641. Resource, Gordon, The Junkyard Wonders: Mentor Text for Identity and Agency (Grades 3-5)

Identity is our self-concept. Agency refers to our capacity to act. The theme of Identity and Agency begins with the self-awareness of one’s own strengths and weaknesses and expands to our capacity to take action and attain goals. This theme includes self-efficacy (believing in oneself), the self-confidence to try difficult or new tasks, perseverance, and resilience. Identity and Agency are affected by our experiences.

Tricia learns on her first day in a new school that her class is known as “the junkyard.” Once she meets her fellow “genius” misfits, led by a teacher who sees their gifts, Tricia learns to recognize her strengths. She gains the confidence to try difficult tasks and learns to rely on the social support of her tribe. The events are based on the author’s life.

Heart of Georgia RESA teachers may request a free copy of the book to use with their classes by listening to the short VoiceThread about the book, reading a brief handout that includes the ELA standards and suggested strategies for using the mentor text, and completing a request form.