Begin Again
on Goodreads (13,116)
What’s inside...
Andie Rose plans to transfer to Blue Ridge State, major in psychology, and become a self-help icon. However, her plans go awry as she navigates a complicated relationship with her boyfriend Connor, her roommate Shay's indecision on a major, and her disruptive R.A., Milo. Amidst these challenges, Andie finds her voice as the anonymous Squire on the school's pirate radio station. This journey helps her realize that not all plans are necessarily the right ones. 'Begin Again' is a story of empowerment, love, and starting anew.
Discussion points
What do you think the main character felt when they had to start over? How would you feel in their place?
Can you think of a time when you had to begin something again? What did you learn from that experience?
Why is it important to keep trying, even when things are hard?
How did the characters in the story help each other? Why is support important when we try new things?
Tip: Role play these questions
Listen actively to your child’s responses, showing empathy and understanding to their feelings and thoughts.
Relate the story to your child’s personal experiences to make the discussion more relevant and engaging.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or scenarios to deepen their understanding and critical thinking skills.
Praise their efforts in articulating their thoughts and feelings, reinforcing the importance of expression and communication.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: The story illustrates the importance of bouncing back from setbacks. The characters face challenges but learn to persist and not give up.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by trying again after failing a test at school or falling off a bike. It teaches them not to be disheartened by failures but to use them as stepping stones to success.
Example Lesson: Forgiveness
Explanation: Characters in the story learn to forgive each other for misunderstandings and mistakes, highlighting the value of forgiveness.
Real-World Application: This can be applied in a child's life by encouraging them to forgive friends or siblings when they make mistakes, promoting harmonious relationships and understanding.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Through the relationships in the story, children learn to understand and share the feelings of others, experiencing situations from different perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can practice empathy by considering other people's feelings during conflicts or when someone is upset, helping them to build social skills and emotional intelligence.