AUTHOR CONNECTIONS:
Donn
Fendler was a twelve-year-old Boy Scout when he became lost on Mt. Katahdin in
the Maine wilderness of Baxter State Park. Each year he visits at least twenty
schools in Maine, talking to children about his experiences on the mountain. He
enjoys boating and often hikes Mt. Katahdin in the summer months. Retired from
a military career, Fendler presently lives in Clarksville, Tennessee. This true
story heard on audiobook offers an introduction and afterword by Donn Fendler.
E-mail him at dfendler@charter.net
CURRICULAR CONNECTIONS:
 Students
will assume the role of a news reporter for the Bangor Daily News in 1939. Have
them develop five interview questions to ask young Donn Fendler after his rescue.
Questions should incorporate "who, what, when, where, and why."
Donn
Fendler had few resources when he became lost on Mt. Katahdin. Working in pairs,
the students will decide what they would need to survive in the wilderness during
a specific month. Narrow the list to twelve items and prioritize. Using poster
board, the students will prepare their "survival kit." Display posters
in the classroom or library.
While
listening to Lost! On a Mountain in Maine, the students will record in
journals colloquial expressions that they hear in the narrative and discover their
meanings. As a class, brainstorm about contemporary colloquial expressions.
There
are many different types of maps: road, weather, topographical, historical, political,
population, aerial, satellite, among others. Guide students in their investigation
of these different types of maps. Have students select three types and research
their characteristics, citing the sources where they found the maps.
In
the story, Donn Fendler encounters a deer and a bear. Students will research other
animals native to Maine and from that list they will choose one to use in a creative
essay in which Fendler encounters this animal. Encourage students to describe
in detail scuffles that might ensue and narrow escapes.
INTERNET CONNECTIONS:
 FEMA
for Kids (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
http://www.fema.gov/kids/
FEMA helps people who have been in a disaster and assists in making plans
before disaster strikes. Find comprehensive resources for parents and educators,
safety information, games, and quizzes geared for children.
Maine
Audubon Society
http://www.maineaudubon.org/
The Web site features data on birding and natural history, in-classroom programs,
teacher programs, and volunteer opportunities.
MAINE
MAPS: The Perry-Castaneda Library Collection
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/Libs/PCL/Map_collection/maine.html
View state, historical and National Park maps from the University of Texas at
Austin.
FOR
FURTHER LISTENING AND READING:
 A
Girl Named Disaster (Orchard, 1996) by Nancy Farmer
 HATCHET,
THE RIVER, BRIAN'S WINTER, BRIAN'S RETURN by Gary Paulsen. These highly popular
audiobooks are a great companion to Lost! On a Mountain in Maine. UNABRIDGED
AUDIO and books available from Audio Bookshelf
SHIPWRECK
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and The
Endurance by Jennifer Armstrong. Listen to the ultimate survival story that recounts
Shackleton's legendary voyage to the Antarctic. Find this UNABRIDGED AUDIOBOOK
on our Audiobooks By Title Page
THE
SIGN OF THE BEAVER by Elizabeth George Speare. Twelve-year-old Matthew fends for
himself in wilderness of 1768 Maine territory. UNABRIDGED AUDIO and book available
from Audio Bookshelf
The
Wreckers (Delacorte, 1998) by Iain Lawrence
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