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: