Cyborg Cat: Rise of the Parsons Road Gang
Cyborg Cat Series
What’s inside...
When Ade moves to London from Nigeria, he knows things will be different, but nothing can prepare him for the ups and downs of his Parson's Road adventures. Ade doesn't always feel welcome in his new community; fitting in is hard, especially as he looks different to everyone else. But Ade is brave and takes on the school bullies, surprising himself and the kids on his new street. His heroic acts and super football skills quickly help him make new friends who will always be there for him.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
208 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Ade
Discussion points
What qualities do you think make Cyborg Cat a good leader?
How do the characters in the book show teamwork and friendship?
What challenges does Cyborg Cat face and how does he overcome them?
Can you think of a time when you had to help a friend like Cyborg Cat helps his friends?
What would you do if you were in Cyborg Cat's position at different points in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the qualities that make someone a good friend and leader, relating it to Cyborg Cat's actions and decisions.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and ask your child to share a personal experience where working together helped solve a problem.
Prompt your child to talk about challenges they've faced and how they've managed to overcome them, drawing parallels to Cyborg Cat’s resilience.
Create a positive and open environment where your child feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings about the story.
Ask your child to imagine alternative outcomes for the story based on different choices characters might make, enhancing their critical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing diversity and inclusivity
Explanation: The story showcases a range of characters from diverse backgrounds and abilities, including Ade, who uses a wheelchair, depicting how they overcome challenges and form the Parsons Road Gang.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of accepting and celebrating differences among peers, fostering a more inclusive mindset in school and community settings.
Example Lesson: Resilience in facing challenges
Explanation: Ade's journey in adapting to a new school and managing his disability, along with forming new friendships, illustrates resilience in overcoming life’s obstacles.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to persist through personal difficulties, whether it’s adjusting to new environments or tackling individual challenges.
Example Lesson: Value of teamwork and friendship
Explanation: As Ade and his friends come together to form the gang, they learn to support each other’s strengths and weaknesses, achieving more together.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to collaborate with others, understanding that everyone has unique qualities to contribute to group success.
Example Lesson: Courage to embrace one’s identity
Explanation: Ade comes to terms with his identity as a person with a disability and a leader, using his experiences to empower his friends.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be proud of their own identities and to use their personal stories as a source of strength.