Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“César’s Pro-Con List”

In this activity, students will demonstrate their understanding of characterization in City of the Beasts by compiling a pro-con list related to Nadia’s travel to the Himalayas in the book’s sequel.

In City of the Beasts, Alex and Nadia develop a powerful friendship over a relatively short period of time. Because of their relationship, in the book’s sequel (Kingdom of the Golden Dragon), Alex invites Nadia to accompany him and Kate to the Himalayas for a story Kate is working on there. If you were Nadia’s father, César, would you allow her to go? What parts of the adventure in the Amazon would you consider as you made your decision? Using evidence from City of the Beasts, compile a pro-con list of reasons that argue for and against allowing Nadia to accompany the Colds on their upcoming Himalayan trip.

Create Your List

Your pro-con list should:

• Contain text-based reasons both for and against allowing Nadia to go:

o You should have at least 10 total items in your list.

o Your list may be unbalanced between pros and cons, as long as you do not leave out any significant reasons on either side.