Middle School: Winter Blunderland
#15 in Middle School Series
What’s inside...
Sometimes middle school feels like a dangerous mission in the cold, unforgiving tundra. Sometimes it literally is. Will Rafe survive his most (frost)biting adventure yet? Things heat up at Hills Village Middle School when Rafe gets an invitation from Dr. Daria Deerwin to join a research study on polar bears. How many times in life do you get a chance to come face-to-face with a real polar bear in the wild? Rafe is ready to find out! Alaska is pinkie-freezing, hair-freezing, snot-freezing cold, but Rafe might be headed for a meltdown. He's spending every waking moment with Penelope, who he definitely has a crush on, and a polar bear Dr. Deerwin is tracking goes missing... with poachers on the tundra. It's up to Rafe, Penelope, and their new friends to save the day in Rafe's coolest adventure yet.
Discussion points
What do you think Rafe learned from his experiences in this book?
How would you have handled the situations that Rafe faced?
Do you see any similarities between yourself and Rafe or any other character?
What parts of the story made you feel excited, scared, or surprised?
If you could give Rafe one piece of advice, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Begin the discussion by sharing your own thoughts about the book's themes and characters to create an open environment.
Encourage your child to describe their favorite part of the book and explain why they liked it.
Ask your child how they might have felt in the situations presented in the book to foster empathy and understanding.
Use follow-up questions to dive deeper into your child's responses, ensuring to listen actively and validate their feelings.
Relate discussions to real-life scenarios to help your child connect the story to their everyday experiences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: The protagonist navigates various challenges and setbacks during winter activities, showing tenacity and perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of continuing to try and not giving up even when faced with difficulties, applicable in school projects or sports.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship
Explanation: The book highlights the importance of friendships and working together to overcome obstacles, emphasizing communication and cooperation among peers.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to value their friends and collaborate effectively, which can help in group activities and in building strong interpersonal relationships.
Example Lesson: Creativity and problem solving
Explanation: Characters in the book often use creative solutions to navigate winter challenges, showcasing the importance of thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to be innovative and use their imagination to solve problems, whether in academic tasks or in everyday situations.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters learn to understand each other's perspectives and emotions better, promoting empathy.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children appreciate diversity in thoughts and feelings among their peers, aiding in social interactions and emotional development.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The story provides examples of how certain decisions lead to specific outcomes, teaching the concept of cause and effect.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think before they act, understanding that their actions have consequences which can aid in developing decision-making skills.