Me, Mop, and the Moondance Kid
#1 in The Moondance Kid Series
What’s inside...
An ALA Notable Children’s Book from the award-winning author of Monster, where wit, sensitivity, and insight are combined to create a funny, fast-paced story about three orphaned children, T.J., his younger brother Moondance, and Miss Olivia Parrish (Mop), who grew up together in the same orphanage. Now adopted, T.J. and Moondance seek to help Mop find a family before the orphanage closes. Mop hopes that by playing catcher for the Little League baseball team, the Elks, the coach will adopt her. It will take teamwork for them to achieve their dreams.
Character compass
T.J.
The Moondance Kid
Mop
Discussion points
How did T.J.'s feelings about his family change throughout the story?
What qualities make Moondance a good friend to T.J. and Mop?
How do the characters deal with challenges and what can we learn from them?
Why do you think teamwork is important, based on events in the book?
If you could give advice to one character in the story, who would it be and what would you say?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use the questions as a guide but let your child express their thoughts freely, showing interest in their perspectives.
Relate the story to personal experiences or similar situations that your child might have faced to deepen their understanding.
Discuss the importance of family, friendship, and resilience showcased in the book to connect the themes with real-world examples.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative scenarios or endings to foster creativity and critical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of family and belonging
Explanation: The story revolves around an adopted child who forms a deep bond with his new family, illustrating the value of familial connections regardless of biological ties.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and cherish the relationships with their family members and understand that family extends beyond biological connections.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: The characters in the book work together to achieve a common goal during baseball games, highlighting the importance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to collaborate and support their peers in group activities at school or in sports.
Example Lesson: Dealing with change and resilience
Explanation: The protagonist faces several changes and challenges throughout the book, teaching children how to adapt and remain resilient.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to stay positive and resilient in the face of new schools, neighborhoods, or other life changes.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The story showcases characters from diverse backgrounds, promoting empathy and understanding towards people who might appear different.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be more empathetic and understanding towards their classmates and friends who come from different cultural or social backgrounds.