Cellular (Orca Soundings)
Orca Soundings Series
on Goodreads (114)
What’s inside...
Brendan has it all—captain of the basketball team, good friends, a beautiful girlfriend and a loving family—until he is diagnosed with leukemia. Terrified and convinced that no one understands what he is going through, Brendan faces chemotherapy alone, until he meets Lark. She is also in treatment, although her condition is much worse, and yet she remains positive and hopeful. Brendan is torn between feeling sorry for himself and the love for life that Lark brings to even the simplest thing. Through Lark, he discovers the strength to go on, to fight for survival and to love.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
11-12
Length
128 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Bernie Freedman
Bernie'S Grandfather
Bernie'S Father
Bernie'S Mother
Discussion points
What do you think motivated the characters to make their choices?
How do you think the story would change if it happened in a different setting?
What did you learn about the impact of technology on relationships through this story?
Which character did you relate to the most, and why?
What are some ways the characters could have resolved their conflicts differently?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings based on different character choices to deepen their understanding of cause and effect.
Discuss the relevance of technology in their own lives in comparison to the book, which can create a personal connection with the story.
Ask your child to pick a favorite character and explain why, to foster empathy and understanding of diverse perspectives.
Encourage them to draw scenes or characters from the book, which can help them process the story visually and emotionally.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in adversity
Explanation: The protagonist faces numerous challenges but continuously strives to overcome them. Their determination highlights the importance of resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to keep trying in the face of difficulties, whether they are dealing with academic challenges or social conflicts.
Example Lesson: Importance of communication
Explanation: The characters in the story often find themselves in situations where they must express themselves clearly to resolve conflicts. This underscores the significance of good communication.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to express their feelings and thoughts clearly and effectively in their interactions with friends and family.
Example Lesson: Empathy towards others
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters learn to understand and share the feelings of others, demonstrating empathy.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by showing compassion and understanding towards their peers, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.