Teachers Guide

Welcome Teachers & Librarians!

I was surprised at how many “life lessons” you squeezed into such a small amount of pages.

Amy Lynn McConahy – Clean Fiction Magazine

Teaching with Earth’s Secret Alliance

With lots of help, this guide was written to give educators and librarians an introduction to Earth’s Secret Alliance for classrooms, book clubs, and reading programs.

The series is written as clean, character-driven science fiction that encourages empathy, ethics, and perspective-taking—ideal for literature, social studies, or STEM-adjacent lessons exploring conscience, discovery, and what it means to be human.

Set in 1947 Roswell, this novella introduces students to themes of inclusion, responsibility, courage, and the complexity of truth and secrecy.

This guide provides sample discussion prompts, vocabulary, writing assignments, and cross-curricular tie-ins that meet a range of classroom needs. I hope you find them useful.

Where Should My Student Start?

The novellas are intentionally short, making them approachable for reluctant readers.
You can encourage participation by saying, “It’s a quick read—give it a try, you might enjoy it.”

Each novella stands alone as an Episode 1 focused on a different character, offering entry points for different interests and reading levels:

Charlie (Charlie’s Big Chance) – A determined young reporter in a wheelchair with many hidden talents, especially reading. She acts older than her age and proves that courage comes in all sizes.
Great for students with disabilities or anyone who needs encouragement.
Ages 9–13 Wholesome adventure with mild violence and peril; suitable for classrooms.
Malcolm (Roswell: First Contact) – A young Black soldier defends a Jewish comrade from bullies, and together they make first contact with an alien asking for help.
Great for students interested in teamwork and fairness.
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and mild wartime tension.
Mary (Defying Gravity) – A teen genius faces sexism in postwar academia while racing against time to prove herself.
Great for young women in STEM or students facing peer pressure.
Greg (The Good, The Bad, and The Undecided) – An army general’s ambition leaves him vulnerable to a blackmailer who demands more with every compromise. Another general sees through it all.
Great for students learning that giving in to a bully rarely ends the problem.
Ryan (Negotiations) – A young diplomat discovers the Zalmen are vegetarians who have never heard of meat—and are now terrified of humans.
Great for students studying communication and cultural differences.
Frank (The Woundless War) – When the Earth–Zalmen Alliance is drawn into an interplanetary conflict, General Jones must lead humanity’s first space battle, without causing major injuries.
Great for students interested in ethics, leadership, or the challenges of maintaining peace in a violent world.
Best suited for older teens (15+). Contains mild references to adult themes (alcohol and relationships) and non-graphic depictions of military conflict and violence.

Once students have read one or more novellas—or if they’re ready for the complete experience—they can continue with the full novel:
From Roswell to Area 51 – A chronological, cinematic retelling that unites all six arcs into one sweeping narrative.

Discussion Questions:

How does Charlie’s disability shape her perspective—and how does she challenge others’ expectations?
Why does Charlie decide to keep the aliens’ presence a secret? Would you have done the same?
What role does journalism play in this story? What is Charlie trying to prove?
How does the historical setting (1947) affect the characters’ decisions and worldview?
What makes a good ally—on Earth, or between worlds?

Vocabulary Words:

journalist, secrecy, integrity, responsibility, UFO, alliance, diplomacy, courage, investigation, discrimination

Writing Prompts:

Write a journal entry from Charlie’s perspective the night she finds the UFO.
Create a newspaper article that Charlie might write—without revealing the alien secret.
Imagine you’re a classmate of Charlie’s. How would you react if she told you her story?

Cross-Curricular Tie-Ins:

History:

Research life in post-WWII America, especially for women, people with disabilities, and reporters.

Science:

Explore real-life accounts of the Roswell incident and early space exploration.

Language Arts:

Discuss how storytelling shapes history and public perception.

Additional Resources

📙 Author vs Screenwriter

How storytelling is different between novels and screenplays — structure, pacing, and visual thinking.

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