I Am Number Four
- Genre: Fiction; young adult science fiction/fantasy
- Originally Published: 2010
- Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 700L; grades 7-10
- Structure/Length: 34 chapters; approximately 440 pages; approximately 11 hours, 6 minutes on audio
- Protagonist/Central Conflict: The protagonist, John Smith, is a teenage alien from the planet Lorien hiding on Earth from hostile aliens. The central conflict revolves around John’s struggle to blend in as a human while developing his alien powers and evading his enemies. The story is set against the backdrop of high school life and the larger battle for survival of his species.
- Potential Sensitivity Issues: Violence; gore; destruction and combat scenes; alien invasion; mild romantic elements; issues of identity and belonging; bullying; assault; kidnapping; profanity; use of drugs; underage use of alcohol
Pittacus Lore, Author
- Bio: Pittacus Lore is a pseudonym for James Frey and Jobie Hughes.
- Frey: Born 1969; American writer and founder of Full Fathom Five publishing company
- Hughes: Born 1980; American author and screenwriter; focuses on science fiction and young adult genres
- Other Works: The Power of Six (2011); The Rise of Nine (2012); The Fall of Five (2013); The Revenge of Seven (2014); The Fate of Ten (2015); United as One (2016)
CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide: