Ashleigh #4 Goodbye, Midnight Wanderer
#4 in Thoroughbred: Ashleigh Series
on Goodreads (164)
What’s inside...
When Ashleigh's favorite yearling is injured in a terrible accident, Ashleigh feels responsible. The vet suggests putting the colt down due to the severity of the injuries, but Ashleigh begs for time to try and save the yearling. She devotes herself to caring for the injured animal and seeks to find out if the accident was really her fault. Tragedy has struck Edgardale, and nothing Ashleigh does seems to help. The yearling must be destroyed, and blaming herself for the colt's sad fate, Ashleigh vows never to become attached to a horse again, as it can only end in tearful goodbyes. Can any horse mend Ashleigh's broken heart?
Discussion points
How did you feel when Ashleigh had to say goodbye to Midnight Wanderer?
What are some ways Ashleigh showed responsibility and care towards her horse?
Do you think friendships can continue even if friends are far apart? Why?
What would you have done differently if you were in Ashleigh's position?
How do you handle situations when you have to say goodbye to something or someone you love?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, use reflective listening to validate your child's feelings and thoughts.
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences of parting or dealing with change.
Ask your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene to deepen their connection and understanding of the story.
Create a comfortable and quiet reading environment that allows for open conversation post-reading.
Praise your child’s responses, and gently guide them to explore different perspectives offered in the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of change
Explanation: The story portrays Ashleigh grappling with the need to say goodbye to her beloved horse, Midnight. This difficult decision helps illustrate the importance of resilience when faced with challenging life changes.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to adapt and remain positive even when they experience changes such as moving to a new city or changing schools.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Throughout the book, Ashleigh shows deep empathy for Midnight's needs, which teaches the importance of considering others' feelings and circumstances.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to be more understanding and attentive to the feelings of their friends and family members.
Example Lesson: The value of making tough decisions
Explanation: Ashleigh’s decision to prioritize Midnight's well-being over her own desires demonstrates the moral complexity of making tough choices that are right, but hard.
Real-World Application: Children learn that sometimes they might have to make difficult choices for the greater good, like sharing a favorite toy or including a new classmate in their activities despite their initial reluctance.
Example Lesson: Coping with loss
Explanation: The theme of saying goodbye to Midnight helps address the process of coping with loss, fostering an understanding of grief and recovery.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand and process their emotions during personal losses, such as the death of a pet or when a close friend moves away.