A Curriculum Guide to:

Epic Zero: A Superhero Adventure of Epic Proportions! Book 1

By R.L. Ullman

This curriculum guide is written to align with the Common Core State Standards ( for classroom, library, and reading groups.

About the Book:

12-year-old Elliott Harkness wants nothing more than to join his family as part of the Freedom Force, the world's greatest super-hero team. There's only one problem, he's a "Zero," that's super-speak for powerless. Frequently abandoned by his crime-fighting family, teased by his older super-sister, and picked on at school, Elliott is miserably ordinary in his heroically extraordinary family.
All of that changes when a mysterious new girl comes to town. She believes Elliott is far from ordinary. In fact, she thinks Elliott is the only one capable of capturing a strange and powerful orb that crash-landed on Earth before it falls into the wrong hands. To succeed, Elliott will have to do more than just find the orb. He'll have to fend off menacing supervillains, face globe-conquering aliens, and figure out who's truly on his side. But when Elliott realizes he's the planet's last hope, will he find the power within himself to be the epic hero he's always wanted to be? Or, will he always be just an Epic Zero?
COMMON CORE CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS: READING, WRITING, AND RESEARCHING

All of the following questions address the Common Core State Standards for RL 4-6

Epic Zero through Writing and Research

The following questions may be utilized throughout the study of Epic Zero as reflective writing prompts or alternatively, they can be used as targeted questions for class discussion and reflection. The questions in this section particularly address the Common Core State Standards: (RL.4. 1, 2, 3, 7, 9) (RL.5. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9) (RL.6.1, 2, 3) (SL.6.1,2,3)(W.4-6.4)

  1. Consider the novel’s title of Epic Zero: In what ways does it capture the themes of the book?
  1. In the first chapter of Epic Zero, Elliott states “See, I know my life probably sounds glamorous and all, but trust me, it’s not. Living with a bunch of do-gooders comes with some major drawbacks.” From this introduction of Elliott, what can readers infer about him? Did you find those inferences about him to be accurate as you get to know him better throughout the novel?
  1. Describe Elliott. What makes him a dynamic character? Is he the type of person you would want to befriend? Why or why not?
  1. Because he lives in a family of superheroes, Elliott gets to live on a satellite in outer space. Imagine what it would be like living there. What are the benefits and challenges of living there? Do you feel that Elliott enjoys living there?
  1. Describe the relationship between Elliott and his pet, Dog-Gone. What makes their relationship special? What makes their relationship challenging? Would you want to have a pet like Dog-Gone? Why or why not?
  1. In Epic Zero, Metas are classified according to their Meta power level (either Meta 0, 1, 2, or 3). In what ways are Meta’s judged by their class? Do you think it is fair to categorize Metas this way? Why or why not?
  1. In Epic Zero, Elliott’s nemesis is the Worm. In what ways are Elliott and the Worm similar?
  1. In what ways does Cammie’s arrival change things for Elliott? In your opinion, does she have the potential to be a good friend for him? In what ways does her relationship with her father provide her with the ability to help Elliott?
  1. In Epic Zero, what is the biggest obstacle Elliott needs to overcome? Would you say his biggest obstacle physical or emotional? Why?
  1. Elliott’s father tells him “I realized that out of all of us, you’re the one I admire the most.” Why do you think Elliott’s father said this to Elliott?
  1. Consider the wide cast of secondary characters: Who did you like the most? The least? For what reason? Of all the characters, who did you feel was most similar to you due to his or her personality or experiences?
  1. Epic Zero is told in the first person: How would the story be different if it was told in the third person? How would the story be different if it was told from the perspective of another character (besides Elliott)? Do you think changing the point of view would make the story better or worse? Why?
  1. In Epic Zero, there are nine different superpower types. If you could choose only one power to have, which power would it be? Why?
  1. Using the phrase, “This story is really about … ,” provide five words to describe Epic Zero. Explain your choices.
  1. At the end of the novel, Elliott has a choice to either turn over the Orb of Oblivion or keep it. Why did Elliott make the choice he selected? Was this a good choice or a bad choice? Why?

Extended Writing and Research Prompts

The following activities contained in this section particularly address the Common Core State Standards (RL.4.1,2,3)(RL.5.1,2,4)(RL.6.1,2)(W.4-6.4)

  1. Shake it Up:Throughout the course of the novel, readers are offered great insight into Elliott’s point of view based on his first person perspective. Assume the role of one of the secondary characters from Epic Zero and draft a diary entry detailing what you experienced and witnessed. To prepare, create an outline using the five Ws (who, what, when, where, and why). Remember to write in first person and give special attention to sensory imagery (taste, smell, touch, sight, sound).
  1. Power Play:The Meta characters in the novel are classified by Meta power level (either a Meta 0, 1, 2, or 3). Select one character from the novel and change his power level (e.g. a Meta 1 is now a Meta 3; or a Meta 3 is now a Meta 0). Compare and contrast your character’s powers before and after the change and also describe how that character feels about the change. How does an increase or decrease in power affect that character’s outlook? What does that say about the idea of power?
  1. A History of Heroes:Superheroes are becoming more and more popular in society. Using library resources and the internet, research the history of superheroes. Be sure to learn the following:
  • How long have superheroes been around for?
  • Who were the most popular superheroes of each generation?
  • What made these superheroes popular for each generation?
  • Have the characteristics of what makes a superhero popular changed from generation to generation?
  • What are the powers and personality types of today’s most popular superheroes? What does that say about your generation?

After gathering this information, create a visual presentation that illustrates your findings.

Epic Zero through Literary Elements Analysis:

Use the following activities to allow students to show their understanding of various literary elements in Epic Zero. The activities contained in this section particularly address the Common Core State Standards: (RL.4.1,2,3,7,9)(RL.5.1,2,3,4,7,9)(RL.6.1,2,7,9)

Character – New Recruits! The Freedom Force is looking for new talent, but remember, it’s not always the strongest hero that makes the team! Ask students to create their very own Meta Profile to try-out for the Freedom Force. What unique name, vitals, powers and characteristics would they give their hero for their big audition? Describe in a few short sentences what unique qualities their hero has to offer and why their hero is certain to make the team.

Dialogue – Talk or Text? In Epic Zero, Elliott and the villains often used text messaging to communicate. Ask students to write out a new discussion scene using two or more characters from Epic Zero, but to draft the same scene two ways: in proper written dialogue and in text form. Have them discuss their thought process as they experienced writing it in proper dialogue, using proper punctuation, versus describing the action in the shorthand of texting.

Plot – Heroic Advice!Ask students to describe one of the problems faced by a character in Epic Zero and write advice to him/her. Students may choose to be serious or humorous. Use the format common for advice columns where the person with the problem writes for advice and the expert writes back. Ask students to describe how the character might use this advice to change the plot in Epic Zero?

Setting – Change in Scenery!Consider the final scene in Epic Zero: Why is Lockdown prison as a location so important? Ask students to imagine the final scene happening in a different location. Students may choose to be serious or humorous. Have them draw the final scene in this new location and/or draft three statements as to what would happen differently to the ending of the story if the final battle occurred here.

Theme – What’s it All About? Ask students to list all the possible themes for Epic Zero. Together, vote on the top theme. Ask students to create a visual collage from Epic Zero of all the moments, symbols or dialogue that expressed this theme. Students can use drawings, magazine photos or other materials to bring the theme to life.