READ ALOUD | 7 Ate 9: The Untold Story by Tara Lazar

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In this engaging story time session, Ryan shares “7 8 9: The Untold Story” by Tara Lazar, where he takes on the role of a detective helping Number 6 who fears that Number 7 is after him. Through a series of humorous clues and interactions with other numbers, Ryan uncovers that 6 was actually 9 in disguise, revealing that 9 felt overshadowed by 7’s popularity. The story concludes with a happy resolution, emphasizing the fun and playful nature of numbers.
  1. What do you think made Number 9 feel sad in the story?
  2. How did Ryan solve the mystery about what happened to Number 9?
  3. Why do you think it’s important for everyone to feel happy and included, like Number 9 learned?

Welcome to Story Time with Ryan!

Hey there! I’m Ryan, and I’m super excited to share a fun story with you today. If you enjoy it, feel free to let me know by giving a thumbs up or leaving a comment!

A Special Shout-Out

Before we dive into the story, I want to give a big shout-out to Gretchen’s amazing class at the Goodyear School in Woburn, Massachusetts. You guys rock!

The Mystery of “7 8 9: The Untold Story”

Today, we’re reading a book called “7 8 9: The Untold Story” by Tara Lazar, with pictures by Ross Macdonald. Let’s jump into this exciting adventure!

The Mystery Begins

One day, I was relaxing in my chair when I heard a loud knock on my door. It was Number 6, and he looked really scared. “7 is coming to get me!” he said.

As a detective, I often help numbers with their problems. I knew 7 was a bit odd, but I needed to find out what was going on.

Finding Clues

6 told me that everyone was saying 7 ate 9, and now 7 was after him! I told 6 not to worry and that I would solve the mystery.

First, I went to find Number 8. She was usually between 7 and 9, but she didn’t know anything. She cleverly disguised herself as 0 by taking off her belt!

Gathering Information

Next, I visited Café Uno to see if the waitress knew anything. She said she heard 7 ate 9, but no one had seen 9 around.

I needed more clues, so I went to see Number 11. He told me 7 was on vacation, so he couldn’t have eaten 9!

Solving the Mystery

Confused, I headed back to my office. That’s when I realized something important. I rushed back and found 6 relaxing.

“I’ve solved the mystery!” I shouted. I turned 6 upside down, and guess what? 6 was actually 9 all along!

The Truth Comes Out

I asked 9 why he said 7 ate him. 9 felt like 7 got all the attention, like in “lucky 7” and “the seven wonders of the world.”

I told 9 he should feel happy, like being on “cloud nine!”

Happy Ending

Just then, 11 came in with 7. 7 was happy because he had just sailed the seven seas and was in seventh heaven!

Everything was back to normal, and I was ready for my next adventure. Numbers and letters can be tricky, but they’re always fun!

And that’s the story of “7 8 9: The Untold Story.” I hope you enjoyed it!

  • What do you think it means when people say “7 ate 9”? Have you ever heard any funny or silly sayings like that before?
  • If you were a detective like in the story, how would you solve a mystery? What clues would you look for?
  • Can you think of a time when you felt left out like Number 9 did? How did you feel better, and what would you do to help a friend who feels that way?
  1. Number Detective Game: Become a detective like in the story! Gather some friends or family members and play a game where you solve number mysteries. Write down a few number-related riddles or puzzles, such as “What number comes between 7 and 9?” or “If you turn me upside down, I become 9. Who am I?” Take turns solving each other’s mysteries and see who can come up with the trickiest one!

  2. Number Art: Create your own number characters using craft materials like paper, markers, and glue. Imagine what each number would look like if it had a personality. For example, make Number 7 look adventurous with a little paper hat or Number 9 look cheerful with a big smile. Share your creations with your class or family and explain why you designed each number the way you did.

  3. Observation Walk: Go on a walk around your neighborhood or school and look for numbers in everyday life. You might find them on houses, street signs, or even in nature. Make a list of all the numbers you see and think about how they are used. Are they telling you something important, like a house number or a speed limit? Discuss with a friend or family member why numbers are important in our daily lives.

Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:

Hey, I’m Ryan, the Creek Toby, and welcome to Story Time with Ryan. In crypto, remember if you like what you see, click subscribe, give us a like, or leave a comment. You can say anything!

I have something to say. Craig, go for it! I want to give a shout-out to Gretchen’s awesome third-grade class at the Goodyear School in Woburn, Massachusetts. Awesome!

Today’s book is “7 8 9: The Untold Story” by Tara Lazar, illustrated by Ross Macdonald. Let’s get started!

I was dozing in my chair when an urgent banging on my office door woke me up. It was 6, and he looked scared. “7 is coming to get me,” said 6. As a private eye, I’m used to numbers like him; they’re always stuck in a problem. I knew about this 7 fella; he was odd.

“Take it easy, 6,” I said. “What’s 7 up to?”

“Word on the street is that 7 ate 9, and now he’s after me,” said 6.

“Well, technically, he’s always after you,” I replied. “There’s 5, then 6, then 7. See? That proves it.”

I told 6 not to panic. “Stay here; I’ll get to the root of this.”

“I hope so,” said 6. “I fear my days are numbered.”

First, I went looking for 8. She’s usually caught between 7 and 9. I found her at the corner of 2nd Avenue and 4th Street, but 8 knew nothing.

“Not if it’s true,” 8 said. “But I’m next to 9.” In a flash, she took off her belt, and 8 looked just like 0. Good disguise!

I needed a solid lead, so I strolled into Café Uno, leaned on the counter, and asked the waitress if she had the scoop.

“Yeah, I heard 7 ate 9,” she said.

“So you haven’t seen 9 around?” I asked.

“Negative,” said the waitress. “He just disappeared.”

So 9 was gone. I couldn’t let 7 be the one who got away, but I needed more data. I went to see 11.

“7 and 11 are like two peas in a pod,” I said.

“7 couldn’t have done it,” said 11. “He’s on vacation.”

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“I’m positive. I saw him leave.”

But if 7 was gone, then where was 9? It didn’t add up. Frustrated, I headed back uptown. That’s when I saw him crossing the street. Finally, I put two and two together. I had to get back to the office on the double.

I told the driver, “Hurry!” I busted through my office door and found 6 taking a break.

“I have solved this numerical mystery!” I cried. I grabbed 6 and turned him upside down. His true color was revealed, just as I suspected. My client, 6, was really 9!

A 6 upside down is a 9, but what is it sideways?

“Why did you say that 7 ate 9?” I asked.

“Because 7 gets all the attention,” 9 replied. “Lucky 7, seven wonders of the world, and the Seven Dwarfs. Figures! I felt like I didn’t measure up.”

“Come on, 9! You should be on cloud nine right now!”

That’s when 11 showed up. “Look who’s back!” she said.

It was 7, who stammered, “No hard feelings, 7?”

“Oh, pals!” said 7.

Seven seemed awfully pleased for a number who had been framed.

“Why so happy, 7?” I asked.

“I just sailed the seven seas! I’m in seventh heaven!”

At last, everyone was back in order, and now I could take letter cases again. Letters can be tricky at times, but they’re okay in my book.

The next day, while dozing in my chair, my phone rang, waking me up. I recognized her voice. It was 2:00 with another problem to solve.

“I’ve really got to change my number!”

“Does the letter have a number?”

“Yeah, I wonder if it’s alphanumeric.”

“I don’t know what that means.”

“Well, alpha refers to letters, and numeric refers to numbers.”

And that’s how we understand “7 8 9: The Untold Story” by Tara Lazar, illustrated by Ross Macdonald.

Let me know if you need any further modifications!

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