I Am the Wallpaper (Readers Circle)
Readers Circle Series
on Goodreads (911)
What’s inside...
Thirteen-year-old Floey Packer feels like shes always blended into the background. After all, shes the frumpy younger sister of the Fabulous Lillian, a girl so popular and spontaneous that their house is always packed with a gaggle of admirers. But when Lillian suddenly gets married and heads off on a month-long honeymoon, Floey decides its her time to shine. Armed with her trusty diary, some books on Zen philosophy, and a jar of Deep Wild Violet hair dye, Floey embarks on a self-improvement missionwith excellent results. People are finally noticing her, especially the boy who really counts. But then disaster strikes.Are people noticing Floey because shes so fabulousor because her evil cousins posted her diary on the Internet? And how will Floey ever repair the damage?
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-10
Length
256 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Floey Packer
Lillian Packer
Discussion points
How do you think Flo feels when she’s labeled as the 'wallpaper,' and what would you do in her situation?
Why is it important for Flo to create her own identity, separate from her friends and siblings?
How do the different characters influence Flo’s journey throughout the story?
What does Flo’s transformation tell us about self-confidence and courage?
If you could give Flo one piece of advice at the start of the book, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, relating it to their own experiences with siblings or friends.
Discuss the significance of individuality and self-expression, asking your child how they express themselves uniquely.
Highlight Flo’s emotional development and ask your child to reflect on moments when they had to stand up for themselves.
After reading, consider role-playing a scene where your child could practice advocating for themselves, just as Flo learns to do.
Use examples from the book to talk about the importance of evolving and growing, even when it’s uncomfortable or challenging.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Self-confidence
Explanation: The protagonist of 'I Am the Wallpaper (Readers Circle)' experiences a transformative journey from feeling invisible to discovering her own self-worth and abilities.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize their unique qualities and feel confident in expressing themselves, even in new or challenging situations.
Example Lesson: Importance of personal growth
Explanation: As the story progresses, the main character tries new things and steps out of her comfort zone, which leads to personal development.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to embrace new experiences and learn from them, fostering a growth mindset.
Example Lesson: Building relationships
Explanation: Throughout the book, the protagonist learns the value of forging strong relationships with those around her.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of teamwork and support from friends and family in overcoming obstacles.
Example Lesson: Understanding and empathy
Explanation: The story showcases the main character's journey towards understanding different perspectives, which in turn enhances her relationships.
Real-World Application: Promotes empathy by helping children understand and appreciate the feelings and viewpoints of others.