Doppol - Trending books for kids

Angelfall: Penryn & the End of Days

#1 in Penryn & The End Of Days Series

2011
by
4.11
on Goodreads (193,707)

What’s inside...

It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back. Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel. Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl. Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

Why read this book

  • Captivating post-apocalyptic adventure stimulates imagination.
  • Strong female protagonist encourages resilience and determination.
  • Explores themes of family loyalty and personal responsibility.
  • Encourages empathy through diverse and complex characters.
In series
Series reading

Non-Sequential

Age

12-18

Length

284 pages

Text complexity

Character compass

Penryn Young
Dum
Dee
Obadiah West
Raphael (Raffe)
Penryn’S Mother
Paige Young
Layla
Uriel
Beliel

Discussion points

How do you think Penryn felt when she had to protect her sister in such a chaotic world? What would you do in her situation?
The theme of survival is strong in this book. What are some key decisions Penryn made to survive? How do those decisions impact her journey?
What role does hope play in this story? Can you identify moments when hope seemed lost, and what brought it back?
Consider the relationships Penryn has with other characters. How do these relationships influence her actions and decisions?
If you were in a world like Angelfall, what qualities do you think are important to have? Why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to compare and contrast their own emotions and decisions with Penryn’s, fostering a deeper understanding of her character.
Discuss the moral dilemmas faced by the characters. Pose hypotheticals to your child to explore these complex situations together.
Highlight moments of resilience in the story. Ask your child to share personal instances where they had to be resilient.
Use the fantastical elements of the book to spark imagination, asking your child how they would envision a world like the one in Angelfall.
Engage in a thoughtful dialogue about the themes of hope and perseverance, emphasizing their importance in both the book and real life.

Key lessons

Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The protagonist, Penryn, demonstrates resilience as she navigates a post-apocalyptic world while trying to save her sister.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to remain hopeful and determined, even in challenging situations, mirroring Penryn's perseverance when facing difficult circumstances.
Example Lesson: The importance of family bonds
Explanation: Throughout the book, Penryn's primary motivation is the safety and well-being of her family, emphasizing the strength of familial relationships.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to value and prioritize their family connections, understanding the importance of supporting loved ones.
Example Lesson: Making difficult moral choices
Explanation: Penryn often faces tough decisions that test her morals and ethics, providing a nuanced view on the complexity of right and wrong.
Real-World Application: Children can learn about the importance of weighing decisions and considering the consequences, enhancing their ability to make thoughtful choices in real life.
Example Lesson: Collaboration with others
Explanation: Penryn allies with others, including the angel, Raffe, showing that teamwork can be crucial, even with unlikely allies.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to collaborate and work together with others who may be different from them, fostering a sense of unity and teamwork.
Example Lesson: Courage to confront fears
Explanation: Penryn frequently confronts terrifying situations and creatures, teaching the value of bravery when facing fear.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their fears and overcome obstacles with courage, inspired by Penryn’s confrontations with daunting challenges.