Dust & Grim
on Goodreads (1,098)
What’s inside...
A middle grade adventure follows rival siblings, 13-year-old Molly and her older brother Dustin, as they run a monster mortuary. After the death of their parents, Molly returns home to claim her inheritance and is thrust into the family business of managing a secret cemetery for supernatural beings. With mysterious doors, talking wolves, and a rogue devourer of magic on the loose, the siblings will need to rely on Dustin's knowledge and Molly's cosplay skills to save the day. However, their biggest challenge might be learning to work together.
Discussion points
What did you think about Molly and Kip's relationship and how they faced challenges together?
How do you think the house's magical secrets impacted the characters' decisions?
What lessons can we learn about family and loyalty from Dust & Grim?
If you were in Molly's shoes, how would you handle the discovery of Grim Hollow's secrets?
Which magical creature in the story was your favorite and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to compare their own experiences with sibling or family relationships to those in the book.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and ask your child about times they had to work with others to solve a problem.
Explore themes of bravery and kindness together. Ask your child how they can apply these qualities in their own life.
Engage your child's imagination by asking them to think of their own magical house and what secrets it might hold.
Reflect on the book's ending together and discuss what your child thinks might happen next if the story were to continue.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of family and belonging
Explanation: In 'Dust & Grim', the protagonists, siblings who have just discovered each other's existence, navigate the challenges of forming a new family bond while managing an inherited family business. This theme demonstrates the value of family, no matter how unconventional it may be.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and embrace different family dynamics, understanding that a sense of belonging and love is crucial, regardless of the family structure.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Throughout the story, the siblings encounter numerous obstacles and threats but continually rise to the challenge. Their journey showcases the power of resilience and courage when confronted with difficulties.
Real-World Application: This narrative can serve as a motivation for children to persevere through their personal challenges and to understand that overcoming obstacles is often part of achieving one's goals.
Example Lesson: Cooperation and teamwork
Explanation: As the siblings work together to protect their legacy and navigate their new world, they learn the importance of collaborating and supporting each other. Their success often hinges on their ability to work as a team.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to cooperate with others, whether in school projects, team sports, or family activities, appreciating that collective efforts often yield better results than individual ones.
Example Lesson: Acceptance of others
Explanation: In their adventure, the siblings meet various mysterious and magical beings, learning to accept and appreciate individuals for who they are, despite their differences.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of diversity and the importance of accepting people from all walks of life, promoting inclusivity and tolerance.
Example Lesson: Justice and standing up for what’s right
Explanation: The main characters confront moral dilemmas and fight against injustices within their supernatural environment. These elements underscore the themes of justice and morality.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to stand up for what they believe is right and to be advocates for justice in their own lives, whether it's in standing against bullying or being fair in their everyday interactions.