What do you think it would be like to be an archaeologist on another planet?

This is a discussion prompt for The Dig by Laurie S. Sutton. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

How do you think the team members felt when they started to change?

This is a discussion prompt for The Dig by Laurie S. Sutton. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

What qualities do you think Bug Team Alpha needed to stop the infection?

This is a discussion prompt for The Dig by Laurie S. Sutton. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

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The Dig

Name: The Dig
ISBN: 9781496551917

by Laurie S. Sutton

Archaeologists on a distant planet face an alien mutation after finding a strange artifact. Join Bug Team Alpha as they race to stop the infection!

About This Book

It's a normal day for archaeologists on a faraway planet until they find a certain artifact. Soon members of the archaeological team start to change. They are mutating into ancient aliens of this planet. Bug Team Alpha is deployed to stop this infection. Each book includes a character list, mission report, discussion questions, writing prompts, and glossary.

Concepts

Fear & Bravery Curiosity & Wonder Teamwork & Collaboration Resilience & Perseverance Space Monsters

Heads up, parents

Scary Scenes

peril_danger

Wonderlit Review

This chapter book plunges readers into a thrilling sci-fi adventure where archaeologists on a faraway planet uncover an artifact that triggers a startling transformation into ancient aliens. The stakes are high as "Bug Team Alpha" is deployed to halt the infection. The narrative handles the concepts of mutation and infection in an age-appropriate, action-oriented manner, focusing on the mission to resolve the crisis rather than graphic details. The emotional arc moves swiftly from discovery to suspense and peril, promising a triumphant resolution. This book is ideal for children who love fast-paced sci-fi, aliens, and mysteries, making it a great choice when a child is looking for an exciting, quick read. Its inclusion of a character list, mission report, discussion questions, writing prompts, and a glossary also makes it appealing for reluctant readers and adds an educational layer. Younger readers (4-6) can enjoy the alien concept and action during a read-aloud, while older children (7-11) can engage with the plot independently. The unique blend of archaeology, aliens, and a specialized team offers a fresh take on early chapter book sci-fi.