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Home Schooled
HOME SCHOOLING FAMILIES

Curious Readers LLC.

Where Every Page is a New Discovery
A Complete Learning Adventure for Your Home Classroom
Featuring: The Mystery of Hidden Oak Valley

Why This Book for Home School?

Nature-Based Learning

Explore real science through story-six tree species, forest ecosystems, and seasonal changes woven into every chapter.

Multi-Grade Friendly

Rich vocabulary and layered storytelling engage readers from ages 6-12, making it perfect for multi-age home school households.

Diverse Representation

Characters reflect real-world diversity, opening natural conversations about community, empathy, and belonging-values at the heart of home education.

Beautiful Watercolor Art

Stunning watercolor illustrations spark creativity and can inspire your own art projects, nature journals, and painting activities at home.

Ready-Made Study Ideas

Drop-in learning units built right around the story-no extra prep needed!

Tree Science Unit

Botany, Ecology & the Natural World

  • Identify and compare 6 real tree species
  • Bark rubbings and leaf print activities
  • Seasons journal and tree life cycles
  • Nature walk scavenger hunts
  • Label tree parts diagrams

Nature Journaling Unit

Observation, Whiting & Art Combined

  • Daily outdoor observation logs
  • Scientific sketching and watercolor art
  • Seasonal change documentation
  • Bird and wildlife tracking charts
  • Haiku and nature poetry writing

Creative Writing Unit

Literacy, Voice & Storytelling

  • Write your own mystery chapter
  • Character trait charts and profiles
  • Story sequencing and retelling
  • Vocabulary word wall building
  • Create an alternate story ending

Learning Across All Subjects

One book. Endless cross-curricular connections for your home classroom.

SCIENCE

Life Science & Ecology
  • Tree identification and classification
  • Animal habitats and food webs
  • Seasons and plant life cycles
  • Forest ecosystem relationships

LANGUAGE ARTS

Reading & Writing
  • Comprehension and vocabulary
  • Mystery genre story elements
  • Narrative and descriptive writing
  • Author’s purpose and theme

SOCIAL STUDIES

Community & Culture
  • Diverse communities and respect
  • Roles of community helpers
  • Environmental stewardship
  • Geography and local ecosystems

ARTS & CREATIVITY

Visual & Creative Arts
  • Watercolor painting techniques
  • Illustrate a favorite chapter
  • Create a story map or diorama
  • Nature poetry and haiku writing

Franco Tompeterini

Author & President, Curius Reader LLC

Meet the Author

Franco Tompeterini was born in Genoa, Italy, adopted and raised in Erie, PA, and now calls Rogers, Arkansas home. A proud U.S. Air Force veteran with 11 years of service and a Desert Storm veteran, Franco brings heart, adventure, and a deep love of nature to everything he writes.
  • Mission:
  • Inspiration:
  • Next books:
  • Contact:
  • Foster diverse literacy and a love of reading in every child.
  • The natural world, outdoor adventure, and the curiosity of children.
  • The Long Sleep at Hidden Oak Valley and The Secret Garden of Hidden Oak Valley.
  • franco@curiousreaders.com | 479-340-2583
Curious Readers LLC.

Get Your Copy Today!

The Mystery of Hidden Oak Valley
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Author: Franco Tompeterini-Author & President
Email: franco@curiousreaders.com
Phone: 479-340-2583
Where Every Page is a New Discovery