One Lonely Degree
on Goodreads (848)
What’s inside...
Finn has always felt out of place, but suddenly her world is unraveling. It started with The Party, Adam Porter, and the night in September that changed everything. The only person who knows about that night is Audrey, Finn's best friend and witness. So when Finn's childhood friend Jersy moves back to town, Finn gives her blessing for Audrey to date him. However, with Audrey gone for the summer, Finn finds herself growing closer to Jersy and for the first time, something feels right. But Finn struggles with the guilt of potentially betraying her best friend.
Age
13-18
Length
222 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Finn
Jersy
Audrey
Discussion points
How do you think Finn felt when she was dealing with her friendship troubles? Can you relate to her feelings?
Why do you think it's important for Finn to confront her feelings rather than hiding them?
What do you think about Jersy’s role in the story? How does his presence influence Finn’s decisions?
How do Finn's relationships with her family members impact her actions and feelings throughout the book?
What did you learn about forgiveness and empathy from Finn's experiences?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book’s events, drawing parallels to their own experiences.
Discuss the importance of empathy by asking your child how they might feel in Finn’s situation, emphasizing understanding different perspectives.
Use examples from the book to talk about the consequences of actions and the importance of making thoughtful decisions.
Help your child identify and articulate the emotions displayed by different characters, fostering emotional intelligence.
Highlight the growth of characters over time to teach your child about personal development and resilience.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Navigating Friendships
Explanation: The protagonist of 'One Lonely Degree' deals with the complexities of evolving friendships during adolescence, illustrating the difficulties and growth that come with changing relationships.
Real-World Application: This book can help children understand the value and challenges of friendships, teaching them to navigate their own relationships with empathy and resilience.
Example Lesson: Dealing with Emotional Vulnerability
Explanation: The story explores the protagonist's internal struggles and emotional vulnerabilities, showing how she confronts and copes with her feelings.
Real-World Application: Children can learn from the protagonist’s experiences to better manage their emotions, fostering emotional intelligence and self-awareness in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Understanding Consequences of Actions
Explanation: As events unfold, the protagonist learns that her actions significantly impact others around her, highlighting the importance of considering consequences before acting.
Real-World Application: This book teaches children the importance of thoughtful decision-making and encourages them to think about how their actions might affect others.
Example Lesson: Developing Personal Identity
Explanation: Throughout the book, the main character embarks on a journey of self-discovery, which emphasizes the importance of self-identity and personal growth during formative years.
Real-World Application: This narrative can inspire children to explore and embrace their own identities, encouraging personal development and self-confidence.