Holding Fast
#18 in The Heartland Trilogy Series
on Goodreads (1,519)
What’s inside...
At last, life is back to normal for Amy. But maybe not for those around her. Lou and Scott are engaged, but Lou is hesitating to set a date. Ben is struggling to devote more time to Red and the show circuit. With so many emotional distractions, Amy dedicates herself to Venture, a police horse with a back injury. But maybe Amy needs to realize that her family and friends require as much devotion as the horses.
Character compass
Amy Fleming
Ty Baldwin
Lou Fleming
Jack Bartlett
Discussion points
How do you think Amy felt when she faced challenges with Spartan? What would you do if you were in her shoes?
What lessons can we learn about friendship and trust from the interactions between the characters in the story?
Why is it important to persevere, even when things seem difficult?
How do the characters in the book change from the beginning to the end? What causes these changes?
If you could give advice to one of the characters, who would it be and what would you say?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your own thoughts on the book’s themes, such as perseverance and teamwork, to set a reflective tone.
Encourage your child to think about the characters’ feelings and motivations by asking them to put themselves in the characters' shoes.
Utilize pauses after each question to give your child time to think and formulate their thoughts, showing that their opinions are valued.
Highlight the relevance of the book's lessons to your child’s everyday life to make the discussion more relatable and impactful.
Praise your child's responses to reinforce their engagement and confidence in expressing their thoughts about the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: In 'Holding Fast,' the protagonist faces challenges but shows determination and persistence to overcome them.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face setbacks in school or friendships without giving up, embracing resilience in their everyday hurdles.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: The story emphasizes understanding and sharing the feelings of others, highlighting how the main characters relate to each other's struggles.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to be considerate and understand perspectives from people around them, fostering better interpersonal relationships.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Characters in the book are tasked with duties that they must fulfill, teaching the importance of being responsible.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this by taking charge of their assignments and chores, learning to be reliable and accountable from a young age.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The book showcases how characters work together to solve problems, emphasizing the value of collaboration.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to participate in group activities, understand different roles, and enhance their cooperative skills.
Example Lesson: Coping with Change
Explanation: Throughout 'Holding Fast,' characters encounter and adapt to changes, which helps them grow.
Real-World Application: Children will learn to be flexible and adapt to changes such as moving to a new school or city, viewing change as an opportunity for growth.