impossible possibilities | - Maven's Milestones

Impossible Possibilities presents its own book club named “Maven’s Milestones.” Maven, a high-flying, Tasmanian forest raven, embarks on a series of adventures with the students in his club. The mischievous raven cheers the students as they undertake the challenge of becoming official “mavens:” a word that means one who is “dazzlingly skilled.”

“Maven’s Milestones” consists of a totem pole with four totems, each representing its own milestone. The totems signify levels of achievement: Ascent, Afterburner, Approach and Call Sign Maven. Maven picks a new book each month and supplies a review of his favorite stories.

Any student who reaches his or her classroom requirements and completes each milestone is recognized as one who is “dazzlingly skilled in the art of reading.” Each student grows alongside the daring character until he or she takes the helm atop the raven fleet next to Maven.

Impossible Possibilities works with local schools in providing alternative book selections, so students at various reading levels can attain the title of “maven.” If you are a teacher or administrator in the Dallas or Tarrant counties and are interested in establishing "Maven's Milestones" in a respective class or school, please click here to schedule a date for the organization to drop off the appropriate materials.

Maven's September Pick: Speak

Author Laurie Halse Anderson recreates the high school experience in her debut novel, Speak, through the story of 14-year-old Melinda Sordino. Sordino begins her freshman year on the outside looking in, lost amongst the teenage cliques that comprise Merryweather High in upstate New York. Her banishment to the social fringes begins after an incident at a summer party leaves her emotionally scarred and unable to express her feelings through words. As a result, readers are forced into the secret places of Sordino's mind as she deals with the harsh reality of attending high school as a loner. Sordino withdraws from her environment and seeks refuge in an abandoned janitor's closet, where she finds temporary solace from her day-to-day problems. Readers will stay entertained with Sordino's witty personality, her interactions with an ensemble of eclectic characters and her ability to overcome trying circumstances. In the end, Sordino confronts her past and unlocks her silenced voice.

Maven The Raven

Maven's Background

Maven’s story begins on a hidden-away island tucked under the coastal shadows of its colossal neighbor Australia. Maven, born into a royal lineage of Tasmanian forest ravens, never experienced the blue-blood lifestyle endowed to him. However, Maven’s parents were forced to make a heartwrenching decision in leaving behind their unborn son due to the fear of a fatal outbreak. Maven’s parents thought they had found the perfect hiding spot, but a pair of indigenous men accidentally stumbled upon the hatchling. The village elders quickly decided to keep the young raven as a sacrifice to the gods. But the cunning youngster escaped his early fate and fled his captors. Maven instinctively flew back to the place of his birth, where he found a red pack sitting next to his broken egg. He opened the small bag and found a piece of bark with four words scratched onto the surface, which provided an essential clue as to the whereabouts of his family. Maven decided to track down the answers, igniting a series of unforgettable adventures.