Big Nate Lives It Up
#7 in Big Nate Novels Series
on Goodreads (5,866)
What’s inside...
Big Nate Lives It Up is the seventh novel in the New York Times bestselling series Big Nate. In this installment, Principal Nichols assigns Nate Wright to be the 'buddy' of a new student, Breckenridge Puffington III, who is a plant-doodling, fact-oriented kid with little social experience. Despite Nate's initial reluctance, he forms a unique friendship with Breck and together they embark on a quest to find a hidden time capsule. The book combines humor and adventure, making it appealing to fans of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Now an animated series from Paramount + & Nickelodeon!
Character compass
Nate Wright
Teddy Ortiz
Francis Pope
Principal Nichols
Gina Hemphill-Toms
Breckenridge Puffington Iii
Discussion points
What qualities do you think make someone a good friend like Nate?
How do you think you would handle a situation where you meet someone new like Nate did with Breckenridge?
Why do you think it’s important to give people a chance before making a judgment about them?
What would you do if you were in Nate’s situation and needed to show someone around your school?
How do you think teamwork helped Nate and his friends in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use examples from the book to talk about first impressions and how they can be misleading. Discuss personal experiences where a first impression was changed after getting to know someone better.
Encourage your child to compare their own school experiences with Nate’s. This can help make the discussion more relatable and foster deeper understanding of the characters’ emotions and choices.
Discuss the importance of teamwork as demonstrated in the book. Ask your child about times they had to work with others to achieve a common goal.
Highlight the growth of the characters throughout the book. Ask your child if they have ever noticed how they have grown or changed over time, either in skills or in understanding others.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: In 'Big Nate Lives It Up', Nate learns to understand and empathize with a new student, who initially seems odd to him. Through various interactions, Nate discovers the new student's interesting background and talents.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be open-minded and take time to understand peers who may seem different from them, fostering a more inclusive and empathetic approach in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: The Value of Friendships
Explanation: Throughout the story, Nate builds a friendship with the new student, leading to mutual respect and camaraderie. The development of their relationship highlights the importance of building and maintaining strong friendships.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of supporting their friends and the positive impact that genuine friendships can have on their emotional well-being.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Collaboration
Explanation: Nate and his friends come together to work on a school project, showcasing how collaboration can lead to greater creativity and better outcomes than working individually.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to engage in group activities and projects, teaching them the benefits of teamwork and diverse thinking in achieving goals.
Example Lesson: Dealing with Change
Explanation: Nate's initial discomfort with the new student and how he adapts over time showcases his personal growth in dealing with changes and new situations.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand that it's normal to feel uncertain about change but adapting and finding the positive aspects can lead to personal growth and new opportunities.