My Pants Are Haunted! (Dear Dumb Diary, No. 2)
#2 of 12 in Dear Dumb Diary Series
on Goodreads (7,495)
What’s inside...
In the second installment of Jamie Kelly's Dear Dumb Diary series, Jamie explores the mysterious powers of a pair of thrift-shop jeans. The jeans, which seemed ordinary at first, are believed to be haunted and may possess the ability to influence various aspects of Jamie's life, including warding off a beagle, overcoming a popular rival, and attracting the attention of a crush. As Jamie navigates these challenges, she documents her humorous and candid experiences in her diary, promising that everything she writes is as true as it needs to be.
Character compass
Jamie Kelly
Isabella
Angeline
Discussion points
What do you think Jamie learned about friendship in this story?
How would you feel if you were in Jamie’s shoes when her pants started acting haunted?
Why do you think it's important for Jamie to write about her experiences in her diary?
How did Jamie’s reactions to her challenges help or hinder her? What would you have done differently?
Can you think of a time when something embarrassing turned out to be not so bad after all?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate personal experiences to those of Jamie's, enhancing empathy and understanding.
Discuss the significance of keeping a diary and how it can help sort through feelings, just as Jamie does.
Focus on the humor in the book and how it can change the perspective of a ‘bad’ situation.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next if the book continued, fostering creativity and inference skills.
Prompt discussions about friendship dynamics and peer relationships, mirroring Jamie’s interactions with her friends.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The protagonist, Jamie, navigates the complexities of school life and relationships, offering readers insight into dealing with misunderstandings and social dynamics.
Real-World Application: Children learn to consider other people's feelings and perspectives, which can improve their interactions and relationships with peers.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Expression
Explanation: Jamie uses her diary as an outlet for her thoughts and creativity, depicting how writing can be a form of self-expression and problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore writing or other forms of art to express themselves and manage their emotions.
Example Lesson: Handling Embarrassment
Explanation: Through Jamie’s humorous mishaps and her way of dealing with embarrassing situations, readers see the importance of resilience and humor.
Real-World Application: Teaches children that it's okay to make mistakes and that they can overcome embarrassing moments with a positive attitude.
Example Lesson: Growth Mindset
Explanation: Jamie’s experiences and reactions to various school scenarios show that making mistakes is part of learning and growing.
Real-World Application: Children learn to embrace challenges and view setbacks as opportunities for growth, fostering a resilient and proactive mindset in their daily lives.
Example Lesson: Importance of Honesty
Explanation: The diary format underscores the significance of being truthful to oneself and others, as Jamie records her true feelings and events.
Real-World Application: Promotes honesty in children's interactions and encourages them to be genuine and authentic in their communication.