Big Nate Payback Time!
#22 of 31 in Big Nate Series
on Goodreads (4,629)
What’s inside...
In Payback Time!, Nate navigates various challenges including school assignments, bullies, and crushes. With his friends, Francis and Teddy, he faces epic snowball fights, a mysterious allergy, and after-school confrontations. This brand-new collection from the Big Nate series captures Nate's humorous adventures and misadventures, filled with pranks, teacher's wrath, and smart-aleck wisecracks, making it an entertaining journey through his sixth-grade life.
Character compass
Nate Wright
Teddy Ortiz
Francis Pope
Gina Hemphill-Toms
Ms. Godfrey
Discussion points
How did Nate handle the challenges he faced in the story? What could he have done differently?
What do you think about Nate's relationship with his friends? How does it compare to your friendships?
What lessons did Nate learn by the end of the book? Which lesson do you think is the most important, and why?
How did the characters' actions affect the outcome of their problems? Can you think of a time when you made a choice that had an unexpected outcome?
If you were a character in 'Big Nate Payback Time!', who would you be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting the book, ask your child what they know about Nate and his adventures to gauge their prior knowledge and spark interest.
Use the illustrations in the book to discuss the characters' emotions and actions. Ask your child to imagine what the characters are thinking or feeling in different scenarios.
Encourage your child to predict what might happen next in the story, discussing potential scenarios based on the issues Nate faces.
After reading, connect the story's themes to real-life situations your child might encounter, such as dealing with school struggles or navigating friendships.
Highlight Nate’s problem-solving skills and ask your child how they might use similar strategies when facing their own challenges.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Big Nate takes responsibility for his actions and learns that his choices have consequences in various situations throughout the book.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to take responsibility for their own actions and understand the impact of their choices at home, in school, and during social interactions.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Despite facing setbacks, Big Nate continues to strive toward his goals, showing perseverance and determination.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to persist in their endeavors, whether they are academic, artistic, or personal, even when faced with challenges.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: In the story, Nate learns to understand and share the feelings of others, particularly when his friends face difficulties.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this understanding by showing empathy toward their peers, helping to create an inclusive and supportive environment in their communities.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The book highlights the importance of working together with others, as Nate collaborates with his friends on several projects.
Real-World Application: This underscores the value of cooperation and teamwork in accomplishing tasks and achieving common goals in group settings like sports and school projects.
Example Lesson: Creative Problem Solving
Explanation: Big Nate often uses his creativity to navigate through challenges, which shows how thinking outside the box can lead to solutions.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use creativity and critical thinking skills to solve problems they encounter in everyday life, fostering innovative thinking and effective problem-solving.