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Against The Stars

#2 of 4 in Adobe EPUB eBook Series

4.26
on Goodreads (147)

What’s inside...

When Elliot starts questioning his sexuality on prom night, he turns to GlimpseTech for a glimpse of his future, which only adds to his confusion by showing him in an intimate moment with Seb, the 'one gay kid' in his year. Despite Elliot keeping his Glimpse a secret and their different life struggles, they keep running into each other, and feelings develop. As the outside world grows tense with protests against the Glimpse technology and rumors of a so-called Last Day, Elliot and Seb navigate their growing connection and the challenges life throws at them.
In series
Series reading

Non-Sequential

Age

13-18

Length

262 pages

Text complexity

Discussion points

What do you think made Aria feel brave enough to stand up against the stars?
How would you help a friend who feels scared like Luca did in the forest?
If you could create your own adventure in space, what would it be like?
Why is teamwork important when facing big challenges?
How do you think the story would change if you were one of the characters?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, use positive reinforcement to encourage your child's thoughts and ideas.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene, then discuss why they chose it and what it means.
Relate the themes of bravery and friendship in the book to your child’s own experiences.
Pause at key moments in the story to ask predictive questions, enhancing their critical thinking.
After reading, encourage your child to imagine an alternate ending, fostering creativity and storytelling skills.

Key lessons

Example Lesson: Courage in the face of adversity
Explanation: In 'Against The Stars', the protagonist faces numerous challenges but consistently shows bravery and resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to be brave when facing their own challenges whether at school, in sports, or during social activities.
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters must work together to overcome obstacles, highlighting the value of collaboration.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in team activities or group projects, learning to cooperate and value each team member's contributions.
Example Lesson: Embracing differences
Explanation: The diverse characters in 'Against The Stars' learn to accept and appreciate each other's differences, which is a central theme of the story.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the importance of inclusivity and respect for peers who may be different from themselves in their own communities and schools.
Example Lesson: Perseverance leads to success
Explanation: The characters in the story often face setbacks but their perseverance eventually leads to success, teaching readers the value of not giving up.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to keep trying in their studies, hobbies, and personal goals, even when things get tough.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and learning
Explanation: The lead character's quest is driven by a thirst for knowledge and discovery, which fuels the adventure.
Real-World Application: This lesson promotes a love of learning and exploration in children, inspiring them to ask questions and seek answers about the world around them.

Against The Stars by Christopher Hartland