Jodie
#4 in The Exiles Series
What’s inside...
Jodie is an insightful and heartwarming story about a young girl navigating the complexities of growing up, family dynamics, and discovering her own identity amidst the chaos of everyday life. With a mixture of humor and poignancy, Hilary McKay captures the essence of adolescence and the bonds that tie us together. Trapped and alone on the salt marshes, Jodie is troubled by a haunting presence in this eerily atmospheric ghost story from multi-award-winning author Hilary McKay. Jodie never wanted to come on the residential trip to the field centre. A loner at school, she's forced into a dormitory with other girls from her class who don't understand her and talk about her behind her back. Even though they're not trying to be mean, Jodie feels excluded and miserable, and eventually escapes out onto the salt marshes in search of a little dog she can hear barking in the distance. But the salt marshes are dangerous, and Jodie gets trapped by the incoming tide. Stuck in the sucking mud, will anyone even notice that she's gone? And where is the little dog that keeps barking so mournfully?
Discussion points
How do you think Jodie felt when she moved to a new place and met new friends?
What do you think is the most important lesson Jodie learned during her adventure?
Can you think of a time when you felt like Jodie, and how did you handle it?
How do you think the story would change if you were in Jodie's place?
What did Jodie's interactions with her friends teach you about friendship?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage empathy by asking your child to express what emotions they think Jodie felt during key moments in the story.
Use open-ended questions to promote critical thinking and personal connection to the story's events and characters.
Discuss the character's decisions and actions, and ask your child how they might have acted differently in similar situations.
Relate the book's themes to your child's own experiences to deepen their understanding and engagement.
Praise your child for their insights and encourage them to explore the feelings and motivations of different characters.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Family and Friendship
Explanation: In 'Jodie', the strong bonds between Jodie and her family and friends are highlighted, demonstrating how they support each other through various challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of maintaining close relationships and supporting their loved ones during difficult times.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Jodie shows compassion and understanding towards characters who are different or facing difficulties, teaching empathy through her actions.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to be considerate and empathetic towards peers and others who might seem different from them.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, Jodie faces several challenges which she addresses with creativity and intelligence, demonstrating effective problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to think critically and creatively when facing their own obstacles, whether at school or in personal life.
Example Lesson: Courage to Face Fears
Explanation: Jodie confronts her fears in the story, showing courage and determination.
Real-World Application: This narrative can inspire children to face their own fears and understand that it's okay to feel scared, but it's important to try and overcome those fears.
Example Lesson: Importance of Perseverance
Explanation: Despite setbacks, Jodie remains persistent throughout the book, teaching readers about the importance of perseverance in achieving goals.
Real-World Application: This lesson supports children in understanding the value of persistence in school tasks or personal goals, even when faced with challenges.