Recommended for grades 5-7Novel study unit for middle grades novel CLIMB by Melissa McGovern Taylor; novel available on Amazon

In conjunction with reading and studying the novel DRUMS, GIRLS, AND DANGEROUS PIE, students collaborated in a team to create a "booth" to host a Rare Disease Day Expo at the Johnston Medical Mall on Rare Disease Day. Students used tools to complete guided research on their rare disease of choice. With rubric guidelines, they included all of the necessary information to present to the public to create awareness and also encourage advocacy. They had the privilege of receiving a special guest speaker, an advocate for rare disease awareness, and hearing the story of how her own son had the same cancer as the character from the novel.