Beginners Welcome
on Goodreads (452)
What’s inside...
The acclaimed author of Where the Watermelons Grow is back with a story perfect for fans of Lynda Mullaly Hunt and Ali Benjamin, about finding friendship after a tragic loss. It’s been eighty-three days since Annie Lee’s daddy died, but she still sees reminders of him everywhere. His record player mysteriously plays his favorite songs, there’s shaving cream in the sink every morning, and the TV keeps flipping to the Duke basketball games he loved. She knows Mama notices it too, but Mama’s been working around the clock to make ends meet. To make matters worse, Annie Lee’s friends ditched her over the summer. She feels completely alone—until she meets Mitch. Though Mitch is tough and confident on the outside, she may need a friend just as badly as Annie Lee. But after losing so much, Annie Lee is afraid to let anyone get too close. And Mitch isn’t the only friend trying to break through Annie Lee’s defenses. Ray, an elderly pianist who plays at a local mall, has been giving her piano lessons. His music is pure magic, and Annie Lee hopes it might be the key to healing her broken heart. But when Ray goes missing, searching for him means breaking a promise to Mitch. Faced with once again losing those who mean the most to her, Annie Lee must make a retreat back into her shell, or risk admitting how much she needs Mitch and Ray—even if it means getting hurt all over again. Just like in her debut, Where the Watermelons Grow, Cindy Baldwin brings her signature twist of magic to this authentically heartfelt story. A Whitney Award finalist, An AML Award finalist.
Age
8-12
Length
352 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Annie Lee
Mitch
Annie Lee'S Mother
Ray
Discussion points
How do you think Annie felt when she played the piano in public for the first time?
What similarities do you see between Annie and yourself in handling new challenges?
Why do you think friendship is important in the story, and how do the characters support each other?
What lesson did you learn from the way Annie coped with her fears?
If you could give advice to Annie at any point in the book, what would you say to her?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the characters’ experiences, relating them to their own life.
Highlight the importance of overcoming challenges and how the characters in 'Beginners Welcome' manage their fears.
Discuss the role of support systems, like friends and community, in overcoming obstacles, emphasizing how Annie’s relationships influenced her journey.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings for the book, fostering creativity and deeper understanding of the character's development.
Reinforce the lessons learned from the book by connecting them to real-life scenarios your child might encounter.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Change
Explanation: In 'Beginners Welcome', the protagonist Annie learns to navigate through the significant changes in her life after losing her father and moving to a new city.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to adapt to new environments or situations, such as changing schools or cities, with resilience and openness.
Example Lesson: The Power of Friendship
Explanation: Annie forms a deep bond with a mysterious pianist, which helps her cope with her grief and uncertainties.
Real-World Application: Children can see the importance of forming supportive friendships and being there for others during tough times.
Example Lesson: Courage to Face Fears
Explanation: Throughout the book, Annie confronts her fears, including performing piano in public, which teaches her about her own inner strength.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to tackle their own fears, whether it's speaking in class, trying out for a sports team, or any other challenges they might face.
Example Lesson: Importance of Self-Expression
Explanation: Music becomes a form of emotional expression for Annie, helping her deal with her grief and complex emotions.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of expressing themselves through different mediums, such as art, writing, or sports, which is crucial for emotional development.
Example Lesson: Perseverance Through Adversity
Explanation: Annie's journey shows her continually pushing through the setbacks she faces, ultimately finding joy and success.
Real-World Application: This lesson highlights the importance of perseverance and hard work, inspiring children to stay determined in the face of obstacles.