Falling 20th Anniversary Edition
Barrington Stoke teen Series
on Goodreads (1,202)
What’s inside...
Telling of a boy's agonizing passage from innocence and ignorance to an understanding of himself, his background, and his family's past, this novel explores themes of racial tensions, intolerance, and right-wing extremism. Through the long, oppressive summer following his grandfather's death, Lucas uncovers dark secrets related to his grandfather's activities during the war, while racial tension grows in his neighborhood. He finds himself drawn to Benoit, a smooth-talking extremist, and becomes captivated by Caitlin, a girl with strong opinions and beautiful, sad dancing. Faced with tragedy, Lucas confronts a difficult decision involving the seductive power of extremism, the difference between intentions and consequences, and the importance of understanding the past to take responsibility for one's actions. First published in Belgium, this novel has won six major international literary awards, topped bestseller lists worldwide, and remains relevant with its themes of racism, neo-facism, and immigration as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-18
Length
288 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Lucas
Caitlin
Benoit
Lucas Ross
Discussion points
How do the characters' choices impact their relationships and the story's outcome?
What do you think about the decisions made by Lucas, the main character? How might you have acted differently in his situation?
How does the setting influence the mood and actions of the characters?
What lessons can we learn about trust and friendship from the interactions between Lucas and Caitlin?
In what ways do the characters show courage or fear? Can you relate to any of these emotions?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage empathy by asking your child how they feel about the characters' dilemmas and choices.
Highlight the importance of perspective by discussing different characters' viewpoints and how each character might be feeling at various points in the story.
Foster critical thinking by exploring the consequences of the characters’ actions and decisions.
Promote connection by relating the themes of the story to personal experiences or current events that are relevant to your child's world.
Create a supportive environment where your child feels comfortable expressing their thoughts and opinions about the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The impact of peer pressure
Explanation: In 'Falling 20th Anniversary Edition', the protagonist faces various situations where he is influenced by peers, which shapes his decisions and actions throughout the story.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize situations where peer pressure may influence their own decisions and develop strategies to stay true to their values.
Example Lesson: The consequences of choices
Explanation: The book clearly demonstrates how the choices made by characters lead to consequences, both good and bad, affecting themselves and others.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to think critically about the potential outcomes of their decisions and the importance of making thoughtful choices.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Through character interactions and conflicts, the book highlights the importance of empathy and understanding different perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by practicing empathy in their interactions, helping them build stronger and more understanding relationships with others.
Example Lesson: Responsibility for actions
Explanation: Characters in the book are faced with situations where they must take responsibility for their actions, illustrating the theme of accountability.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to accept responsibility for their actions in their daily lives, promoting maturity and ethical behavior.
Example Lesson: The power of forgiveness
Explanation: Throughout the story, themes of forgiveness and reconciliation are explored, showing how characters overcome grudges and misunderstandings.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of forgiving others, understanding that holding onto anger can hinder personal and relational growth.