Johnny Salter (Heinemann Spotlights)
The New windmill series
on Goodreads (5)
What’s inside...
This series offers a range of plays specially written or adapted for 11- to 14-year-olds for easy acting or reading aloud in class. Many have large casts. This is a humorous play about teenage friends and enemies.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-18
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made Johnny Salter act the way he did in the story?
How would you feel if you were in Johnny Salter’s shoes?
Can you think of a different way Johnny could have solved his problem?
What did you learn from Johnny Salter's actions?
How do you think the story would change if it happened in today's world?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in the protagonist’s shoes to foster empathy and deeper understanding.
Ask your child to relate the story’s events or moral lessons to their own experiences to make the discussion more personal and impactful.
Use pauses after questions to give your child time to think and articulate their thoughts, promoting critical thinking.
Reinforce that there are no right or wrong answers in these discussions, which can help your child feel more comfortable and open in expressing their views.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Johnny Salter's narrative demonstrates empathy through characters who learn to understand and share the feelings of others.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by recognizing emotions in their peers and offering support or kindness in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In the storyline, characters are faced with choices that teach them the importance of being responsible for their actions.
Real-World Application: Kids can use this lesson by taking ownership of their tasks, such as completing homework on time or taking care of a pet.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The book highlights characters facing challenges but persisting despite difficulties, illustrating the value of perseverance.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to not give up easily on their goals, whether in academics, sports, or personal hobbies.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The characters in the book often work together to solve problems, showcasing the power of collaborative effort.
Real-World Application: Children can practice this in group activities at school or during team sports, learning to cooperate and value others' input.