Karen's Penpal (Babysitters Little Sister)
#25 of 131 in The Baby-Sitters Club Series
on Goodreads (395)
What’s inside...
Karen really wants to impress her penpal, Maxie, so she tells a few fibs. After all, they're never going to meet. But then Miss Colman announces that Maxie's class is coming to visit. Karen realises she's in big trouble now.
Character compass
Karen Brewer
Ms. Colman
Discussion points
How do you think Karen felt when she first wrote to her pen pal, and why?
What did Karen learn from her experience with her pen pal?
If you could write to a pen pal, what would you tell them about yourself and what would you like to learn about them?
Why is it important to learn about people from different places or backgrounds?
How can having a pen pal change the way you see the world?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their emotions by asking them how they would feel in Karen’s situation.
Discuss the value of friendship and how relationships can grow from correspondence, even with people far away.
Suggest writing a letter to a friend or family member as a practical activity to connect with the story.
Talk about cultural diversity and the importance of understanding different perspectives, relating it to Karen’s interaction with her pen pal.
Emphasize the importance of asking questions and being curious about other people's lives, mirroring Karen’s experience.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship and communication.
Explanation: Karen establishes and nurtures a long-distance friendship through letters, demonstrating the joy and growth that can come from open communication.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value and maintain friendships by regularly communicating, whether through writing, calls, or digital means, fostering strong social skills.
Example Lesson: Understanding and embracing cultural diversity.
Explanation: Karen's pen pal exposes her to new cultural perspectives, broadening her understanding and acceptance of differences.
Real-World Application: Children can become more open-minded and respectful of various cultures and backgrounds, encouraging harmony and inclusivity among peer groups.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and punctuality.
Explanation: Karen takes her commitment to write back seriously, showing responsibility in keeping her word and punctuality in replying promptly.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of being responsible for their actions and the value of being reliable in their daily responsibilities, such as homework and chores.
Example Lesson: The joy of learning from others.
Explanation: Through her correspondence, Karen gains new knowledge from her pen pal's experiences and views, which enrich her life and perspective.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to be curious and learn from everyone they meet, which can be applied in school or any social setting, enhancing their educational experience.
Example Lesson: Creativity in communication.
Explanation: Karen uses creative ways to make her letters engaging, which shows the importance of creative expression in communication.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to explore different modes of expressing themselves, such as through art, writing, or digital media, boosting their creative skills.