Les Desirable: Final Straw (Middle School Book 4)
#4 of 6 in Middle School Series
on Goodreads (5)
What’s inside...
Les Desirable is a world-famous news reporter who finds himself in a predicament when the student who dresses as the school mascot for Greenville Middle transfers, and he is tricked into campaigning to take over the role. Surrounded by challenges and the dilemma of whether to accept help from the Mayor's son who aims to manipulate the election, Les must navigate the tough decision of winning and wearing a silly peanut costume, or losing and being labeled a loser. All the while, his real job as a news reporter gets interrupted by school. Les Desirable: Final Straw is a humorous and engaging tale for children ages 9-12, middle schoolers, and adults who are young at heart, portraying the hilarious misadventures of a boy trying to balance his career aspirations with school life.
Discussion points
What do you think motivated the characters to make the choices they did in the story?
How would you have handled the challenges faced by the characters in the book?
What did you learn about friendship from the events in this book?
Can you relate to any of the characters' feelings and experiences in your own life?
If you could change one part of the story, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their opinions by asking them how they feel about the characters' decisions and actions.
Discuss the consequences of the characters' actions to enhance moral reasoning and empathy.
Use examples from the book to talk about real-life situations, helping your child connect literature to personal experiences.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings or plot twists, fostering creative thinking and perspective-taking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: The protagonist in 'Les Desirable: Final Straw' faces numerous obstacles in middle school, but repeatedly demonstrates resilience by finding solutions and persevering through difficult times.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by learning to overcome their own challenges, whether they are academic, social, or personal, fostering a growth mindset.
Example Lesson: Importance of friendship
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters rely on each other, showcasing the significance of friends in overcoming life’s hurdles and achieving personal goals.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of building strong, supportive relationships with their peers, which can provide emotional support and enhance their social development.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Characters in the story learn to understand and empathize with each other’s circumstances, which leads to stronger bonds and less conflict.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate diverse perspectives and backgrounds, enhancing their social skills and reducing instances of bullying.
Example Lesson: Responsibility for one’s actions
Explanation: The book highlights consequences of actions, encouraging characters to take responsibility for their decisions.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to think before they act and understand the impact of their actions on others, promoting a sense of responsibility.
Example Lesson: Creative problem-solving
Explanation: The protagonist and friends often engage in creative thinking to navigate their challenges, showcasing how thinking outside the box can lead to success.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to approach their problems creatively, enhancing their cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills.