Death Spiral: A Faith Flores Science Mystery (Faith Flores Science Mysteries Book 1)
#1 in Faith Flores Science Mysteries Series
on Goodreads (68)
What’s inside...
When Faith Flores finds her mother dead of an apparent overdose, she refuses to believe it and begins investigating. Her search leads her to discover her mother's involvement in a clinical trial for heroin addiction, and as more deaths occur, Faith must navigate lies and danger to uncover the truth behind the sinister science and its cover-up.
Character compass
Faith Flores
Jesse
Aunt T
Discussion points
What did you think about Faith’s method of solving the mystery? How would you approach a similar situation?
How do Faith's feelings and actions change throughout the story? Can you relate to any of her emotions?
The book combines science with mystery; what did you learn about science from this book? Was there a scientific concept or fact that particularly interested you?
Faith faces many challenges in her investigation. What do you think was her biggest challenge, and how did she overcome it?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing Faith’s investigative techniques, ask your child how they would use their own skills and knowledge to solve a mystery.
Encourage your child to express which emotions of Faith they connected with the most and why. This helps in understanding their own feelings and empathizing with others.
Discuss the scientific elements present in the book. Use this as an opportunity to explore further learning by conducting simple related experiments at home or watching related educational videos.
Challenge your child to think critically by asking them to consider alternative solutions to the obstacles Faith encounters. This encourages problem-solving and creative thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and scientific inquiry
Explanation: Faith Flores uses her scientific knowledge and investigative skills to solve a mystery surrounding her mother's death, demonstrating the value of critical thinking and methodical research.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to approach problems methodically, using evidence and logical reasoning in their everyday decision-making processes.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Throughout the book, Faith faces numerous challenges but continually demonstrates resilience and determination, showing that these qualities are crucial when dealing with difficult situations.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand the importance of perseverance and staying strong when encountering obstacles in life, from school projects to personal issues.
Example Lesson: The importance of seeking truth
Explanation: Faith’s relentless pursuit to uncover the truth about her mother's death teaches the importance of not accepting things at face value and striving for truth and justice.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to question, investigate, and seek accurate information rather than making assumptions, which is vital for informed decision making.
Example Lesson: Ethical decision-making
Explanation: The protagonist faces moral dilemmas that require her to make decisions based on her ethical beliefs, which underscores the complexities of ethical decision-making in real life.
Real-World Application: Children learn to evaluate their choices based on moral implications and understand the impact of their decisions on themselves and others.
Example Lesson: Empowerment through knowledge
Explanation: Faith’s ability to navigate complex situations and uncover hidden truths is a direct result of her knowledge and education, portraying knowledge as a tool for empowerment.
Real-World Application: Inspires children to value education and see learning as a pathway to empowerment and independence in their future endeavors.