INTRODUCTION
Robert Stanek’s books are starting to capture the hearts and imaginations of people around the world. Just about everyone seems to like the refreshingly unique fantastic adventures and the breathtaking world of Ruin Mist. The books have inspired young and old alike! Teachers around the US are starting to discover the books as well and we hope you will consider sharing the books with your students too.
On this page you’ll find detailed information on our:
- Teacher’s Classroom Guide to Ruin Mist Grades 4-8
- Student’s Classroom Handbook for The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches
- Children’s Fiction
- Teen Fiction
In August 2003, Reagent Press launched Ruin Mist Apparel, Gifts & Collectibles. Over 350 apparel, gift and collectible items are available, all featuring original designs and artwork based on the books by author/artist Robert Stanek. Our store can be found online at
Quick Links: Teacher’s Guide | Student’s Handbook | Books for Children | Books for Teens
Teacher’s Classroom Guide to Ruin Mist: Grades 4-8
Teacher’s Classroom Guide to Ruin Mist Grades 4-8
Paperback, May 2003
Product
Details:
ISBN: 1575450321
Format: Paperback 8.25”x11”, 120pp
Pub. Date: May 2003
Synopsis Teachers around the US are starting to discover Robert Stanek's Ruin Mist books and if you want to use the books in your classroom, this wonderful guide can help you every step of the way. Beyond being entertaining, the stories offer important life lessons. Through the eyes of the characters, readers discover the importance of friendship, loyalty, truth and trust. Readers grieve with Adrina as she mourns the loss of her mother. They learn the importance of listening, and not just looking at the things around them, but truly seeing the world as it is. They learn about modesty, prejudice and how one person's perception of something can be different from another's. But most importantly, they learn that people who are true to each other and themselves can succeed.
This 8.25”x11” classroom book for teacher’s includes:
- Author biography
- Author interview
- Vocabulary builders
- Cooperative Learning
- Discussion Questions
- Unit Tests
- Unit Activities
Table of Contents
AN INTERVIEW WITH ROBERT STANEK 9
Meet Robert Stanek 10
Family and Childhood 11
How many brothers and sisters do you have? 11
Did bullies ever pick on you? 11
Tell me about your Big Brother. 11
Did you read a lot when you were a child? 12
Did you want to be a writer back then? 13
Did you have any pets when you were little? 13
Tell us about your father and mother. 14
Did you always do as you were told? 15
Tell us about your grandparents. 15
Why did you move to the country? 16
Tell us about the farmhouse and growing up in the country. 17
What else do you remember about living there? 17
What was it like not having your father in your life? 18
School Days 19
Tell me about your first school. 19
Tell me about your walks to school. 20
What do you remember about that school? 20
Tell us about moving and changing schools. 21
Who was your favorite teacher? 22
Was there anything you didn't like about school? 23
Outside of school, what was your childhood like? 25
Have you ever gone back to the schools you attended? 25
Did you really get leaches all over you one time? 26
Did you watch a lot of television? 26
Do you miss those times? 27
A car hit you when you were young. What happened? 27
Military Career 29
Why did you join the military? 29
What do you remember about basic training? 30
Was language school hard? 31
Where did you go next? 32
Did you like living in Texas? 33
Tell me about your first assignment. 33
Did training end once you got to your first assignment? 35
Did you travel in Japan? 35
Did you learn Japanese? 36
Did you study martial arts? 36
Where did you go after Japan? 37
Was survival school really scary? 37
Is it true you met your wife while going to flying school? 39
What was Germany like? 39
Tell me more about the food in Europe. 40
Did you travel in Europe? 40
How come you had to go to war? 41
Was it scary? 41
Tell me about Hawaii. 42
What made you want to get a degree, finally? 43
Why did you leave the military? 44
Writing Career 45
When did you first start writing about Ruin Mist? 45
When did you first try to get the Ruin Mist books published? 46
What happened after your first book was published? 47
Tell me about the publication of the first Ruin Mist book. 48
How many Ruin Mist books will there be? 48
What will you do when you publish the last Ruin Mist book? 49
THE RUIN MIST BOOKS 50
An overview 51
Who are the main characters? 51
How does the author manage so many characters? 52
How come the Ruin Mist world has differing histories? 53
What is the dark place Vilmos visits? 53
Where do the dragons and titans live? 53
How come men and elves are enemies in Ruin Mist? 54
What is the significance of the Ruin Mist book covers? 54
What is King's Mate? 57
RUIN MIST IN SCHOOLS 58
Exploring Ruin Mist in the Classroom 59
Expanding Vocabulary 60
Learning Creatively 68
Playing King's Mate in the Classroom 69
Exploring Common Trades in the Kingdoms 73
Review Questions for Discussion: Chapters 1-2 85
Review Questions for Discussion: Chapters 3-4 87
Review Questions for Discussion: Chapters 5-6 89
Review Questions for Discussion: Chapters 7-8 91
Review Questions for Discussion: Chapters 9-10 93
Review Questions for Discussion: Chapters 11-12 95
Review Questions for Discussion: Chapters 13-14 97
Review Questions for Discussion: Chapters 15-16 99
Quiz!: Chapters 1-2 100
Quiz!: Chapters 3-4 101
Quiz!: Chapters 5-6 102
Quiz!: Chapters 7-8 103
Quiz!: Chapters 9-10 104
Quiz!: Chapters 11-12 105
Quiz!: Chapters 13-14 106
Quiz!: Chapters 15-16 107
POST-READING ACTIVITIES 108
Sorrow & Grief 109
Responsibilities 110
Eavesdropping 111
Friendship & Loyalty 112
Perceptions & Misconceptions 113
How many Ruin Mist books are there? Nine: Six children's books and three for adults. Children should start with The Kingdoms & the Elves of the Reaches (ISBN: 1-57545-059-3). Adults, with Keeper Martin's Tale (ISBN: 1-57545-042-9). A companion volume entitled Ruin Mist Heroes, Legends and Beyond (ISBN: 1-57545-067-4) is now available.
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Student’s Classroom Handbook for The Kingdoms and the Elves
Student’s Classroom Handbook for The Kingdoms and
the Elves of the Reaches
Paperback, August 2003
Product
Details:
ISBN: 1575450333X
Format: Paperback 8.25”x11”, 136pp
Pub. Date: August 2003
Synopsis Seeks to meet the needs of classroom teachers and parents with home schooled children, many of whom have written to Reagent Press looking for more classroom materials based on Robert Stanek’s books. The handbook included the complete text of the original book, The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches, plus vocabulary builders, student activities and discussion questions.
In addition to the complete text of The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches, this 8.25”x11” student’s handbook includes:
- Special introduction
- Vocabulary builders
- Student activities
- Word searches
- Word sorts
- Word jumbles
- Discussion questions
Table of Contents
Map of East and West Reach 5
Map of the Kingdoms 6
About the Author 11
INTRODUCTION 12
CHAPTER ONE: THOSE DESTINED 13
Chapter 1: Word Search Extravaganza 20
CHAPTER TWO: THE WINDS OF CHANGE 21
Chapters 1 and 2: Review Questions 29
CHAPTER THREE: IT BEGINS 30
Chapter 3: Word Sort Fun 41
CHAPTER FOUR: DISCOVERY 42
Chapters 3 and 4: Review Questions 48
CHAPTER FIVE: REALIZATION 49
Chapter 5: Word Jumbles Away 58
CHAPTER SIX: PERMISSION 59
Chapters 5 and 6: Review Questions 65
CHAPTER SEVEN: MEETING 66
Chapter 7: Word Search Extravaganza 71
CHAPTER EIGHT: GUIDANCE 72
Chapters 7 and 8: Review Questions 80
CHAPTER NINE: AMBUSH 81
Chapter 9: Word Sort Fun 85
CHAPTER TEN: FIRST LESSONS 86
Chapters 9 and 10: Review Questions 94
CHAPTER ELEVEN: DECISION 95
Chapter 11: Word Jumbles Away 102
CHAPTER TWELVE: VANGAR FOREST 103
Chapters 11 and 12: Review Questions 108
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: THE BOTTOMS 109
Chapter 13: Word Search Extravaganza 114
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: REST'S END 115
Chapters 13 and 14: Review Questions 119
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: DISASTER 120
Chapter 15: Word Sort Fun 124
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: RETURN 125
Chapters 15 and 16: Review Questions 127
BOOKS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
The Kingdoms and the Elves
of the Reaches: (Keeper Martin's Tales, Bk 1)
Paperback,
February 2002
Product
Details:
ISBN: 1575450593
Format: Paperback, 234pp
Pub. Date: February 2002
Series: Keeper Martin's Tales
From the Publisher
Perfect for the young and the young at heart! Inside, you'll discover the breathtaking world of Ruin Mist where the mystical and the magical abound, and you'll fall in love with three heroes: a boy who would become a mage, a princess who is fleeing a dying kingdom, and a warrior elf who undertakes an epic journey. The adventure begins with Book 1.
Synopsis
Three heroes set out on an epic journey of discovery only to find that at the end of their journey nothing is what they thought it was and that is undergoing a transformation that will change everything. Survival in a changing world depends on their ability to adapt and if they fail, their world and everything they believe in will perish.
About the Author:
Currently Robert lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and children. Robert is proud to
have served in the Persian Gulf War as a combat crewmember on an electronic
warfare aircraft. During the war, he flew numerous combat and combat support
missions, logging over two hundred combat flight hours. His distinguished
accomplishments during the Persian Gulf War earned him nine medals, including
the United
States of America's highest flying honor, the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross.
Related Merchandise: Kingdoms & the Elves Posters
Baseball
caps
Collectible
Mugs
Steins
Other Books in the Series:
ISBN: 1575450607 To save
her kingdom Queen Mother sent her most trusted warriors on a perilous journey
across the Great Sea. But the elves were betrayed. Only a handful survived, and only two
reached the far shores. The survivors did not find quick allies. They found a
kingdom under siege and a shattered alliance. What lies beyond, they don't
know. The future is uncertain. But they do know that they must win this fight,
for failure would certainly mean the end to everything they hold dear. ISBN: 1575450631 ISBN: 1575450658 Here is the fourth volume in Robert Stanek's
magnificent Keeper Martin's Tales -- the series fans have called "The Star
Wars" of fantasy. Filled with mystery, intrigue, adventure, and magic the
books transport us to a world unlike any other Additional Titles: In the Service of Dragons: Honor Bound Paperback,
$14.00, ISBN: 1575450895 Availability:
2004 In the Service of Dragons: Hope Lost Paperback,
$14.00, ISBN: 1575450909 Availability:
2005. Magic Lands: Journey beyond the Beyond Synopsis Following
the village elder's advice, Ray leaves his home village, setting out for the
place lost and deep where he will find a companion for his journey to the stone
land and where he will discover that there is no easy path. Additional Title: Magic Lands: In the Stone Land Paperback,
$11.00, ISBN: 1575450925 Availability:
2004 BOOKS FOR TEENS ISBN: 1575450615 From the Publisher Discover
the magic! Some authors are powerful storytellers. Some create wonderful
worlds. Others create memorable characters. When you find an author that is
capable of telling a powerful story that revolves around memorable characters
in a deep, rich world, you really have something wonderful—and wonderful is
definitely what this book is about! The Ruin Mist Tales are a deeper,
darker history for best-selling author Robert Stanek's Keeper Martin's Tales.
For every fantastic story you'll ever find, there are often other stories that
retell the adventures from different points of view--so why should it be any
different in Ruin Mist? Product Details: ISBN: 1575450623 Product Details: Enter the spell-binding worlds of best-selling
author Robert Stanek. Synopsis Related
Merchandise: Ruin Mist Posters Dozens
of original Ruin Mist designs are available, including King’s Mate gaming
boards, the ultimate strategy game for fans of Stratego® and Chess: Additional
Titles: Magic Lands II: In the Stone Land Paperback,
$11.00, ISBN: 1575450925 Availability:
2004 Elf Queen & the King III Paperback,
$15.00, ISBN: 1575450860 Availability:
2004 Elf Queen & the King IV Paperback,
$15.00, ISBN: 1575450879 Availability:
2005 FIND OUR BOOKS FIND OUR BOOKS 
The Kingdoms and the
Elves of the Reaches II
Paperback, April 2002
Product
Details:
Format: Paperback, 228pp
Pub. Date: April 2002
Kingdoms and the Elves
of the Reaches III
Paperback,
August 2002
Product
Details:
Format: Paperback, 216pp
Pub. Date: August 2002Adrina, Emel, Vilmos, Galan and
Seth face even greater challenges as their world is transformed. Vilmos, in his
quest to become the first human magus in a thousand years, must control the
darkness within him. Adrina must accept her place and work together with Emel
to help the elves make their plea to Great Kingdom's council. What happens along the
way will amaze you.
Kingdoms and the Elves
of the Reaches IV
Paperback,
February 2003
Product
Details:
Format: Paperback, 220pp
Pub. Date: February 2003
Paperback,
June 2002
ISBN: 157545064X
Format: Paperback, 156pp
Pub. Date: June 2002
From
the Publisher
A
powerful story that is sure to delight! At its heart, Magic Lands is a journey
of discovery and adventure.
Elf Queen and the King: Ruin Mist Tales, Vol.
1
Paperback,
March 2002
Product
Details:
Format: Paperback, 244pp
Pub. Date: March 2002Series:
Ruin Mist Tales Series
Elf Queen and the King
II
Paperback, May 2002
Format: Paperback, 244pp
Pub. Date: May 2002
Series: Ruin Mist Tales Series
The mysterious Xith
returned from under-mountain just as he said he would. He brought dark news in
a dark time, confirming Princess Adrina's worst fears. Something terrible was
happening; what it was they were only beginning to understand. Now Adrina,
Emel, Xith, Vilmos and the others must determine the true fate of Alderan as
they set out to save Great Kingdom.
Magic Lands and Other Stories
Paperback, July 2002
ISBN: 1575450666
Format: Paperback, 228pp
Pub. Date: July 2002
The
book contains two of Robert's favorite short stories: Silence Is Golden and
August Rains The book also contains 2 novellas:
Magic Lands: Following the village elder's advice, Ray leaves his home village,
setting out for the place lost and deep where he will find a companion for his
journey to the stone land and where he will discover that there is no easy
path.
Absolutes: Brilliantly melds science fact with science fiction, creating a work
that challenges yet at the same time provokes the imagination as the powerful
prose urges us to dream a new dream.
