Operating Codes
Tech Adventures Series
on Goodreads (13)
What’s inside...
Upon moving to Sentinel House, five-year-old Matty and fifteen-year-old Graham encounter ghosts from a nearby abandoned military compound. Graham and his sister sense they are not alone in the house from the first night, and start experiencing mysterious phenomena. Their father is busy designing a top-secret weapons system and tells Graham to ignore his suspicions, but when their father is unjustly arrested for posting information about the secret system on the Internet, Graham's life turns upside down. The family faces the threat of tearing apart while Graham investigates the strange occurrences and tries to clear his father's name. Operating Codes combines a ghost story with a family's struggle to stay together, challenging readers to think about the societal operating codes that influence their lives.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
10-12
Length
198 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think was the main character's biggest challenge, and how did they overcome it?
Can you think of a time when you had to solve a problem like one in the book? What did you do?
How did the setting of the story impact the events that took place?
What is one thing you would do differently if you were in the main character's shoes?
What did you learn from the story that you can use in your own life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Listen actively to your child’s responses, showing interest and asking follow-up questions to dig deeper into their thoughts and feelings.
Relate themes or situations from the book to real-life scenarios your child might encounter, enhancing their understanding and application of the story’s messages.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or plot twists, which can stimulate creativity and critical thinking.
Utilize expressions of empathy and understanding to validate your child's perspective, which promotes open communication.
Praise your child’s insights and contributions to the discussion to boost their confidence and engagement with reading.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding diversity
Explanation: The book 'Operating Codes' introduces children to a variety of characters from different backgrounds, helping them understand and appreciate diversity.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to respect and value people from various cultures and backgrounds, promoting inclusivity in their own communities.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters must collaborate to solve problems, illustrating the power of working together.
Real-World Application: Children can apply the idea of teamwork in group activities at school or in sports, understanding that combined efforts often lead to success.
Example Lesson: Developing problem-solving skills
Explanation: The book presents various challenges that the characters must navigate, thereby showcasing strategic thinking and resilience.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and creatively when faced with obstacles in their own lives, be it at school or at home.
Example Lesson: Ethics of technology use
Explanation: As the title suggests, 'Operating Codes' also delves into the ethical side of technology, teaching children about responsible tech use.
Real-World Application: This lesson is particularly relevant in today’s digital age, guiding children to use technology wisely and ethically.
Example Lesson: Encouraging curiosity
Explanation: The narrative encourages questions and exploration, fostering a curious and inquisitive mindset among young readers.
Real-World Application: Nurturing curiosity helps children in their educational journey, enhancing their learning experiences and engagement with the world around them.