Creatures of the In Between
#1 of 2 in Creatures of the In Between Series
on Goodreads (163)
What’s inside...
Princess Mononoke meets How to Train Your Dragon in this magical middle-grade adventure from Cindy Lin, author of The Twelve, featuring a blend of East and Southeast Asian folklore and mythical creatures, and starring a boy with a hero's destiny. Prince Jin is running out of time. He must find a monster companion before his thirteenth birthday or lose the throne completely, and that means travelling to the only place where monsters still live: the legendary, dangerous Whisper Island. But untold perils await Jin there. The magical creatures he seeks are not so easily swayed, and an even greater threat looms on the horizon--one that could threaten everything Jin hopes to achieve.
Discussion points
What do you think life is like for the creatures in the In Between? How do they interact with their world?
If you could meet one of the creatures from the book, which one would it be and what would you ask them?
How do the characters in the story show bravery and teamwork?
What lessons can we learn from the challenges the characters face?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine and describe an additional scene or creature in the In Between. This stimulates creativity and deeper understanding of the book’s universe.
Ask your child to draw their favorite creature or character from the book and explain why they chose that one. This helps in connecting visually with the story.
Relate themes from the book, like cooperation and courage, to real-life situations your child may encounter. This makes the discussion relevant and practical.
Celebrate successful reading sessions with themed activities, like creating a simple craft based on the book. This enhances enjoyment and retention of the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Bravery in the face of unknown challenges
Explanation: The protagonist of 'Creatures of the In Between', facing unfamiliar and mysterious creatures, embodies courage as they navigate through their adventure.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of facing their fears and stepping out of their comfort zones, which can be applied when dealing with new experiences or challenges at school or in social settings.
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship and teamwork
Explanation: Throughout 'Creatures of the In Between', characters must collaborate and support each other to overcome obstacles, highlighting the strength found in unity.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to value and nurture friendships and shows them how teamwork can effectively solve problems, whether in group projects or shared family responsibilities.
Example Lesson: Respecting differences
Explanation: As characters in the book come across a variety of creatures, they learn to understand and respect the differences that make each creature unique.
Real-World Application: Children are reminded of the importance of acceptance and respect for others' differences, promoting inclusivity and empathy in their everyday interactions at school and at home.
Example Lesson: Coping with change and uncertainty
Explanation: The adventurous journey in 'Creatures of the In Between' is fraught with changes and unforeseen events, teaching characters to adapt and be flexible.
Real-World Application: This prepares children for the inevitable changes in life, helping them to understand that adaptability is key to overcoming challenges in real-life situations like moving to a new place or transitioning to a different school.
Example Lesson: Preservation and appreciation of nature
Explanation: The natural settings and various creatures in the story foster a sense of wonder and the need to preserve the environment, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all living things.
Real-World Application: Kids learn the significance of environmental conservation and are encouraged to take actions like recycling, conserving water, or planting trees to nurture the planet.