Once Upon a Crime
#4 of 9 in The Sisters Grimm series
What’s inside...
In the fourth book of the Sisters Grimm series, Sabrina and Daphne Grimm investigate a string of unusual incidents in New York City involving a group of fairy-tale characters. The sisters must use their detective skills to solve the mystery and save the city. The Grimms take Manhattan in the fourth book in the New York Times bestselling series! When fairy-tale detectives Sabrina and Daphne Grimm venture back to the big city to help a friend, they land in the middle of a big mystery. Puck’s father, King Oberon, has been murdered, and the Grimms suspect one of the many famous (and infamous) fairy-tale folk who call the city home. Can they find the culprit while coming to terms with their mother’s secret life? And will Sabrina ever accept her family’s destiny? Funny and fast-paced, this series puts a fresh spin on girl-detective stories and has won an ever-expanding number of fans. F&P level: U
Character compass
Sabrina Grimm
Daphne Grimm
Veronica Grimm
Henry Grimm
Mr. Canis
Puck
Granny Relda Grimm
Titania
Discussion points
What do you think motivated the characters to solve the mysteries?
How do the characters change throughout the story, and what do you think caused these changes?
What would you have done differently if you were in the characters' shoes during their adventures?
How do the settings influence the story’s events? Can you describe how the setting made you feel?
Which character did you relate to the most, and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the moral dilemmas characters face, and relate them to real-life situations they might encounter.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and friendship as seen in the book, highlighting how characters work together to solve problems.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book, then describe why they chose that particular part.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: In 'Once Upon a Crime', characters often need to collaborate to solve mysteries, highlighting how working together can achieve better results.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value cooperation and see how teamwork can solve problems at school or during playtime.
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences of actions
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters face consequences for their decisions, underscoring the importance of thinking before acting.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children consider the potential outcomes before making choices, promoting responsibility.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: The protagonists encounter numerous obstacles but persevere, teaching readers about resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by not giving up easily when faced with difficulties in tasks or relationships.
Example Lesson: Value of honesty
Explanation: Characters in the book who embrace honesty tend to have better outcomes, illustrating the benefits of being truthful.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be honest in their daily interactions and understand the long-term advantages of integrity.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and problem-solving
Explanation: The story’s mystery elements require characters to think critically and solve puzzles, demonstrating effective problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to use reasoning and logic to navigate homework challenges and personal dilemmas.