Mister Fancy Dancer Book/Quiz

Story line: Caezaah Wiggington never had it easy. Unable to express himself verbally, growing up in an unforgiving urban neighborhood, Caezaah got labeled as “slow” or “stupid,” sometimes both. He became an easy target for those too quick to judge. Now in his early twenties, Caezaah works as a late night dishwasher and shares a one room apartment with a family of mice.

Despite past events and current circumstances, Caezaah believes that everyone gets his day. He prepares for his. He envisions that when his day comes, he will rise from the lowly ruins to long overdue respect because of his gift.

Caezaah’s gift is dancing. And, his day has arrived.

Although his plans and preparations are repeatedly disrupted, he continues to dance toward his destiny. Against overwhelming evidence to the contrary and a series of obstacles, Caezaah is certain that by nightfall he will no longer be known as Wiggy or Babble Boy, but as the Fancy Dancer, Mister Fancy Dancer.

Educational Benefits of this 8 chapter book(paperback version is 84 pages)/quiz App: The reading level is 5th/6th grade and up. Because the app allows you to toggle the narration track on and off, younger readers may still enjoy the story with help from the audio/narration track, which may help them learn to read and pronounce more challenging words. The narrative and dialog is voiced by the author and more than a dozen 5th and 7th grade Whittier students. Their delivery ranges from witty to gritty. The narration is enhanced by an undertone of music that paces the action of the story. After finishing the story, the students and author challenge you to their 34 question comprehension and vocabulary quiz. The quiz keeps score by points and accuracy.

Author’s note:
After brainstorming with a couple of dozen eager and enthused fifth graders (and one third grader) at Whittier Family School in Camden, I channeled their dreams and insights into this story, our story. I returned to Whittier for a wonderfully received reading and stimulating discussion.

I heard many insightful comments. The wisest of all may have come from a student who had just joined the class and was not part of the session that gave birth to the plot and characters. When I asked for ideas on how to deal with bullies, detractors, and adults who mislabel you and write you off, this young man responded with one word, “SUCCEED.”

Brilliant!