Horns and Wrinkles
What’s inside...
Claire lives near a stretch of the Mississippi River rumored to be inhabited by river trolls, rock trolls, and blue-wing fairies. She has never seen any mythical creatures until her cousin Duke swims in the river and mysteriously sprouts a horn. Claire is then thrust into an adventure to help Duke return to normal, in a tale as winding and unpredictable as the river itself. The story features an unusual cast of characters and combines humor and fantasy, ideal for readers of all ages.
Age
10-12
Length
230 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Claire
Duke
Discussion points
How do you think Claire felt when she first discovered she might turn into a rhinoceros? What would you do if you were in her shoes?
Why do you think the river trolls and the magic in the bluffs play such important roles in the story? What do these elements teach us about facing challenges?
Can you think of a time you helped a friend like Claire helps her cousin Duke? What happened and how did it make you feel?
What do you think is the meaning of true courage, based on Duke and Claire’s adventures?
If you could have any magical power like the characters in 'Horns and Wrinkles', what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage empathetic responses by discussing characters’ feelings and decisions, prompting your child to consider different perspectives.
Make connections to real-life scenarios where similar moral or ethical decisions are made, enhancing understanding and relatability.
Ask open-ended questions that encourage critical thinking and personal reflection to deepen your child's comprehension and emotional insight.
Discuss the outcomes of various decisions in the story and encourage your child to imagine alternative endings based on different choices.
Celebrate imaginative thinking by asking your child to brainstorm different magical powers and how they might use them in daily life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness and empathy
Explanation: Throughout 'Horns and Wrinkles,' the characters often face dilemmas that require them to act with kindness and understanding toward others, regardless of their differences.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by learning to appreciate diversity and showing compassion in their interactions with friends and classmates.
Example Lesson: The value of teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: The protagonist and her friends must work together to solve the magical problems they encounter, highlighting how cooperation leads to success.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of collaborating with others to achieve common goals, whether in school projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: The consequences of making poor decisions
Explanation: Characters in the book sometimes make choices that lead to trouble, providing a narrative on the repercussions of negative actions and the importance of thinking things through.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to think critically about the consequences of their actions and make more thoughtful decisions.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The characters repeatedly overcome obstacles, demonstrating how resilience and perseverance can help one navigate challenging situations.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in a child’s life by encouraging them to persist and not give up easily when faced with difficulties, whether in academics, sports, or personal challenges.