The Baby-Sitters Club Series
Maid Mary Anne
on Goodreads (1,067)
What’s inside...
Mary Anne agrees to do some housework for Mrs. Towne, an elderly neighbor who had been giving her sewing lessons, but Mary Anne soon realizes that she has become a maid.
Age
8-12
Length
155 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Discussion points
How did Mary Anne's actions show her responsibility and caring nature?
What did Mary Anne learn about friendship and teamwork throughout the story?
How do you think Mary Anne felt when facing challenges, and what would you have done in her place?
What role do you think trust plays in Mary Anne's relationships with others in the book?
How can we apply Mary Anne's problem-solving skills in our daily lives?
Tip: Role play these questions
Highlight Mary Anne’s character development and ask your child to compare it with their own experiences of growing and learning.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story’s events, fostering empathy and emotional understanding.
Focus on the teamwork aspect, discussing with your child instances where they needed to collaborate to achieve a goal.
Discuss the trust element in Mary Anne’s friendships and ask your child about their thoughts on trust in their own relationships.
Use examples from the book to talk about problem-solving, asking your child how they would handle similar situations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In 'Maid Mary Anne', Mary Anne takes on a job to help her family, demonstrating reliability and accountability.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of helping out at home and taking on tasks that they are responsible for completing.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Mary Anne shows empathy by understanding the struggles of the family she works for, learning to see things from their perspective.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to be considerate of others’ feelings and situations, fostering kindness and understanding in their interactions.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, Mary Anne faces challenges that require creative solutions, highlighting her ability to think critically.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply problem-solving skills to school projects or conflicts with friends, learning to think critically and resolve issues.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: Mary Anne adapts to new responsibilities and changes in her environment, showing flexibility.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of adjusting to different situations, whether it's transitioning to a new school or dealing with changes at home.
Example Lesson: Hard Work
Explanation: The character's commitment to her job despite challenges underscores the value of perseverance and effort.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of persisting through difficulties, which is applicable in achieving personal goals and tasks at school.