Emily For Real
OverDrive Read Series
on Goodreads (68)
What’s inside...
Seventeen-year-old Emily's world crumbles when her boyfriend dumps her, and when she thinks her life can’t possibly get any worse, a series of secrets are revealed that threaten to tear her beloved family apart. Emily feels like she has no one to turn to, until an unexpected friendship blossoms with a troubled classmate named Leo. Sometimes despondent but always supportive, Leo is Emily's rock in an ocean of confusion and disbelief. Leo's life isn't easy either, and he struggles to be both mother and father to his little sister while his mom battles her alcohol addiction. The two friends lean on each other, and in the end discover the inner strength to face whatever life throws at them. With incredible insight into the teenage psyche and speckled with pitch-perfect humour, author Sylvia Gunnery has created a heart-warming coming of age story that is sure to connect with young adult readers.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
13-16
Length
218 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did Emily change throughout the story, and what do you think caused those changes?
What do you think Emily learned about friendship and trust from her experiences?
How did Emily's relationship with her family impact her decisions and actions?
What would you have done differently if you were in Emily’s situation?
How do you think the story would change if it was told from another character's perspective?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about Emily’s challenges and relate them to their own experiences.
Discuss the importance of empathy by asking your child how they think Emily felt during key moments in the book.
Highlight the significance of growth and learning from mistakes, both in the book and in real life.
Foster critical thinking by exploring the consequences of characters' actions together.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or plot twists, enhancing their creativity and engagement with the narrative.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding and managing emotions
Explanation: Throughout 'Emily For Real,' Emily navigates a range of emotions as she deals with her family's complex dynamics and her own personal growth.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to identify their own emotions and understand that it's okay to feel them deeply. It encourages them to speak openly about their feelings, fostering emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Emily faces various challenges, including public judgment and personal doubts, but she learns to overcome them through resilience and self-belief.
Real-World Application: This story can inspire children to persevere through their own difficulties, whether they're struggling with school, friendships, or family issues.
Example Lesson: Importance of family and forgiveness
Explanation: The novel highlights the dynamics within Emily's family and the journey towards forgiveness and understanding among family members.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to cherish family bonds and learn the importance of forgiveness, which can lead to healing and stronger relationships.
Example Lesson: Empathy for others
Explanation: Emily's interactions expose her to various perspectives and situations, teaching her to empathize with people even when their lives are vastly different from her own.
Real-World Application: This promotes empathy in young readers, urging them to consider and respect feelings and viewpoints different from their own in their daily interactions.