A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking Complete Novel Study

A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher whisks readers into a delightful blend of magic and mystery, with a twist of humor, too. Meet Mona, a 14-year-old baker with the unique magical talent of animating dough. When evil forces threaten the wizards and the city, Mona is thrust into a dangerous adventure that challenges her courage, resourcefulness, and even her bread-making skills. With the help of a trusty gingerbread man and unexpected allies, Mona must rise to the occasion and prove—especially to herself—that even the most humble magic can make a big difference.

This is the first book in our thematic series for Level 7-8. The Power We Hold invites seventh and eighth grade students to explore the many forms of power that shape our world, from personal abilities to social influence and the power of storytelling itself. Through this series, students will consider the complex dynamics of power: how it is gained, challenged, and wielded for both good and ill.

Each story in this series features characters navigating the complexities of power in their unique circumstances—whether it’s discovering unexpected abilities and using them to protect others, grappling with the tension between leadership and oppression, or understanding the profound influence of language and narrative. The thematic core encourages students to examine how power can be used to unite or divide, to inspire or control, and how it evolves in different contexts and over time.

The Power We Hold challenges students to reflect on the forces that shape their own lives and communities, encouraging them to consider how they can harness their own unique strengths, voices, and influence to bring about meaningful change.

This complete novel study guide provides everything you need to bring A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking into your homeschool or classroom (except for a copy of the book and some baking supplies and ingredients).

It includes:

• Thought Questions
• Literary Analysis
• Close Reading
• Essay Writing
• And of course… baking!