A Chorus Rises: A Song Below Water
#2 of 2 in A Song Below Water Series
on Goodreads (1,535)
What’s inside...
The Hate U Give meets Shadowshaper in Bethany C. Morrow's A Chorus Rises, a brilliant contemporary fantasy set in the world of A Song Below Water. Teen influencer Naema Bradshaw has it all: she's famous, privileged, has “the good hair”— and she’s an Eloko, a person who’s gifted with a song that woos anyone who hears it. Everyone loves her — well, until she's cast as the awful person who exposed Tavia’s secret siren powers. Now, she's being dragged by the media. No one understands her side: not her boyfriend, not her friends, nor her Eloko community. But Naema knows the truth and is determined to build herself back up — no matter what. When a new, flourishing segment of Naema’s online supporters start targeting black girls, however, Naema must discover the true purpose of her magical voice.
Discussion points
What do you think about the main character's journey and how she handles challenges?
How do the themes of identity and belonging in the story relate to our own lives?
What did you learn about the importance of understanding and accepting differences in others?
Can you think of a time when you had to stand up for what you believed in, like the characters in the book?
How can we apply the lessons from this book in our daily interactions with friends and family?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, highlighting that there are no right or wrong answers.
Relate the characters' experiences to real-life situations your child might encounter to deepen their understanding.
Use examples from the book to discuss broader social issues, promoting critical thinking and empathy.
Allow your child to lead the discussion at times, fostering their confidence and engagement with the reading material.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Self-acceptance and embracing one's identity
Explanation: The protagonist confronts numerous challenges related to her identity and magical abilities. Throughout the tale, she learns to accept and value her unique qualities.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be confident about their individuality and respect others' differences, helping in building a supportive and diverse community.
Example Lesson: Advocacy and standing up for what is right
Explanation: The characters in the book often take stands against injustices, showing the power of advocacy and the importance of fighting for what one believes in.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to speak up against wrongdoing and become active participants in shaping a fair society.
Example Lesson: The strength of solidarity and community support
Explanation: Throughout the book, there is a recurring theme of community and how coming together can provide strength and support to individuals facing adversity.
Real-World Application: It teaches children the importance of community involvement and shows how collective action can lead to positive change.
Example Lesson: Coping with adversity and resilience
Explanation: Characters in 'A Chorus Rises' deal with personal and external challenges, learning vital lessons in resilience and perseverance.
Real-World Application: This lesson serves as an encouragement for children to develop coping strategies and resilience in the face of difficulties.