Fast Slide (Orca Currents)
Orca Currents Series
on Goodreads (46)
What’s inside...
Clay would much rather work as a lifeguard at the beach than at Safari Splash, the new water park in town. He's certain the summer will drag along, despite his position at the Boa, the park's fastest slide. The summer job starts to get interesting when he learns that someone has been wandering the park in a lynx costume, scaring the staff. When forty thousand dollars is stolen from the till, and his friends are under suspicion for the theft, boring is starting to look good. But Clay is certain that the mask and the thefts are connected, and he's determined to solve the crime.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
128 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Aiden Mallory
Hannah
Flynn
Discussion points
What did you think about the choices the main character made? What would you have done differently?
How do you think the main character felt during the race? Have you ever felt the same way?
What did you learn about honesty and friendship from this story?
What role did teamwork play in this book? Can you share an example from your own life where teamwork was important?
How did the characters change from the beginning to the end of the book? What caused those changes?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the characters’ feelings and motivations by asking them how they would feel in similar situations.
Highlight key moments in the story where characters faced moral dilemmas, and discuss the importance of making good decisions.
Discuss the outcomes of the characters' actions. Ask your child how different actions might have led to different results.
Use real-life examples to connect the themes of the book with everyday situations your child might encounter.
Praise your child’s responses and thoughts to reinforce their confidence in expressing their views and opinions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Honesty
Explanation: In 'Fast Slide', the protagonist faces situations where honesty is challenged but learns that telling the truth is crucial for maintaining trust with friends and family.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by embracing honesty in their daily interactions, understanding that it fosters trust and respect in relationships.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: The story demonstrates that every action has a consequence, as the main character experiences the outcomes of their decisions.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to think critically about the potential effects of their choices on themselves and others before acting.
Example Lesson: Value of Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, the protagonist learns the importance of working together with others to achieve a common goal, showing that teamwork can lead to success even in challenging situations.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to collaborate effectively with peers in school projects or sports, understanding that collective effort often leads to better results.
Example Lesson: Resilience in Adversity
Explanation: The character in 'Fast Slide' faces various challenges but learns to persevere and not give up, highlighting the importance of resilience.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to remain persistent and resilient in the face of their own challenges, whether academic, social, or personal.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: As conflicts arise, the protagonist learns to see situations from others' perspectives, fostering empathy and deeper understanding.
Real-World Application: Children can use this lesson to better navigate social situations, improving their ability to understand and relate to the feelings of others.