Hiding in Plain Sight: A Shelby Belgarden Mystery (Shelby Belgarden Mysteries)
#1 in Shelby Belgarden Mysteries Series
on Goodreads (23)
What’s inside...
With school over, Greg visiting relatives, and Betts on vacation with her family, it's looking like it will be a quiet summer for Shelby Belgarden. Until, that is, she finds out that Betts and her family have returned home suddenly, and Betts's mom faces criminal charges in the theft of a computer program from her workplace. To save Mrs. Thompson's job and reputation - and to keep her out of prison - Shelby infiltrates the company in order to dig up clues. But with no clues to be found, can Shelby find the answers that will keep Betts's family together?
Character compass
Shelby Belgarden
Discussion points
What do you think motivates Shelby to solve mysteries?
How do you feel about the way Shelby handles challenges and setbacks?
What are some qualities of Shelby that you admire or find interesting?
How did the characters' actions affect the outcome of the mystery?
If you were in Shelby's place, what would you have done differently?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, highlighting how Shelby’s actions and decisions influence the plot.
Discuss the importance of perseverance and courage in difficult situations, drawing parallels to Shelby’s experiences in the story.
Ask your child to compare and contrast characters, fostering critical thinking about character development and interactions.
Explore the theme of mystery together by predicting future events or alternate endings, enhancing creative thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of critical thinking
Explanation: Throughout the book, Shelby Belgarden showcases her ability to think critically and solve mysteries, demonstrating the value of using logic and observation.
Real-World Application: Children can apply critical thinking skills learned from the book in problem-solving tasks at school and in personal decisions, fostering a habit of thoughtful analysis before acting.
Example Lesson: Understanding the impact of actions
Explanation: Shelby's journey in solving mysteries highlights how every action can affect others, underscoring the consequences of one's decisions.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to consider the potential impacts of their actions on their friends and family, leading to more thoughtful and responsible behavior in their social interactions.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: As Shelby interacts with different characters and uncovers motives behind their actions, she learns to empathize and understand various perspectives, which is a key aspect of the story.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children grasp the importance of empathy, teaching them to understand and respect viewpoints different from their own, crucial for building healthy relationships.
Example Lesson: Perseverance in the face of challenges
Explanation: Shelby encounters numerous challenges and setbacks in her quest to solve the mystery, yet she remains determined and perseveres until the end.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to persist despite difficulties in their academic or personal pursuits, emphasizing resilience as a vital life skill.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: In solving the mystery, Shelby often collaborates with others, showing that teamwork can lead to success where going it alone might not.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of cooperating with others, whether in school projects or during play, highlighting that collective effort often yields better results.