Fair Coin
#1 in Coin Series
What’s inside...
Ephraim is horrified to find his mother unconscious from a suicide attempt, the catalyst being the dead boy she identified at the hospital who looks exactly like him. Ephraim discovers a strange coin among the dead boy's belongings that grants wishes when flipped. He improves his life with the coin, but soon realizes that the wishes have adverse consequences. His best friend becomes obsessed with the coin, and the world changes in unexpected ways. Ephraim must learn to control the coin's power, prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, and restore the world he knows.
Character compass
Ephraim Scott
Nathan Wilcox
Jena Kim
Discussion points
What would you do if you found a coin that could grant your wishes? How would you decide what to wish for?
How do the characters in 'Fair Coin' change as the story progresses? What do you think causes these changes?
The concept of choice is central in 'Fair Coin'. Can you think of a time when you had to make a difficult choice? What helped you decide?
In the book, consequences follow every action, especially when using the coin. What does this tell you about the nature of decisions and their impacts?
If you had a chance to meet the main character, what advice would you give them about using the coin?
Tip: Role play these questions
Pause at suspenseful moments or after a significant event in the story and ask your child what they think might happen next.
Encourage your child to compare and contrast their own experiences with those of the characters, fostering deeper empathy and understanding.
Discuss the moral dilemmas presented in the book, guiding your child to articulate their thoughts on what they would do in similar situations.
Create a 'wish jar' together, where each of you can put a paper with a wish written on it. Discuss the wishes, emphasizing the real-life implications and responsibilities of wishes coming true.
Use examples from the book to have conversations about cause and effect, highlighting how each action taken by the characters leads to certain consequences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences of choices
Explanation: In 'Fair Coin', the protagonist's ability to alter reality with a magical coin teaches that every choice has a consequence.
Real-World Application: Children learn that their decisions, big or small, influence situations and people around them.
Example Lesson: Value of honesty
Explanation: As the story unfolds, the main character learns that hiding the truth and manipulating reality can lead to undesirable outcomes, highlighting honesty's importance.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be truthful and forthcoming in their daily interactions and relationships.
Example Lesson: Dealing with temptation
Explanation: The protagonist faces the temptation of using the coin for personal gain, which serves as a compelling narrative about self-control and ethics.
Real-World Application: Kids encounter situations where they must choose between right and wrong, teaching them about moral integrity and the consequences of succumbing to temptation.
Example Lesson: Acceptance of reality
Explanation: The main character learns to accept life as it is, rather than constantly trying to change it for personal benefit, conveying a message about appreciating what one has.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand the importance of accepting situations they cannot change and finding happiness in the present.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Handling the power of the coin teaches the protagonist about the responsibility that accompanies any form of power or advantage.
Real-World Application: This illustrates to children that with any privilege or special abilities they might possess, there comes a great deal of responsibility to use them wisely.