Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares
#2 of 2 in Paola Santiago Series
on Goodreads (1,112)
What’s inside...
In the sequel to Tehlor Kay Mejia's critically acclaimed novel, Paola Santiago is struggling with her altered relationships with her best friends and her mom's new boyfriend, six months after her encounter with La Llorona. Her life is further complicated by nightmares featuring a forest and her estranged father, who she barely remembers. As Dante's abuela falls ill, Pao's journey to find her father takes her on a path filled with new monsters, ghosts, and a shocking betrayal. Her discoveries about her father's secrets could either save or destroy the people she loves. Drawing from her Mexican heritage, Mejia weaves a tale combining folklore creatures with contemporary challenges.
Character compass
Paola Santiago
Dante Delgado
Emma
Discussion points
How do you think Paola feels when she faces the supernatural challenges in the forest? What would you do in her place?
What role do friendship and teamwork play in Paola's journey? Can you share a time when your friends helped you through a tough situation?
Paola learns a lot about her cultural heritage throughout the book. Why do you think it's important to learn about our backgrounds and where we come from?
What lessons do you think the ‘Forest of Nightmares’ teaches about facing our fears? How can we apply these lessons in our everyday life?
If you could ask Paola one question about her adventures, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expression when discussing Paola’s emotions and challenges to help your child connect emotionally with the character.
Position the conversation around teamwork and friendship to allow your child to relate and share personal experiences, strengthening their ability to empathize.
Encourage your child to ask questions about their own cultural heritage, potentially leading to engaging family stories and deeper bonding.
Discuss personal fears with your child to teach coping mechanisms that Paola uses, emphasizing that it's okay to be scared and that there are ways to overcome fears.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage and facing fears
Explanation: Paola Santiago confronts supernatural elements and personal fears within the mysterious forest, showing bravery despite the unknown.
Real-World Application: Children learn to face their own fears and understand that bravery can lead to overcoming difficult situations in life.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship
Explanation: Throughout the journey, Paola relies on her friends and learns the importance of trust and teamwork in overcoming challenges.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to appreciate their friends and cooperate with others to solve problems, both in play and in more serious situations.
Example Lesson: Importance of cultural heritage
Explanation: The story integrates elements of Mexican folklore, emphasizing the significance of one’s cultural background and traditions.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to explore and take pride in their own cultural roots and learn about the diverse traditions of others.
Example Lesson: Resilience through adversity
Explanation: Paola experiences setbacks and obstacles but continues to persevere, demonstrating resilience.
Real-World Application: This example shows children the importance of perseverance and resilience in achieving goals, despite challenges they may face.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking
Explanation: Paola uses her wits and knowledge to solve puzzles and navigate the forest, highlighting the value of logic and reasoning.
Real-World Application: It inspires children to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills in academic settings and daily life challenges.