Shaking Up the House
on Goodreads (192)
What’s inside...
In this middle grade novel by Yamile Saied Méndez, a friendly prank war between outgoing and incoming first daughters at the White House escalates dangerously, potentially leading to an international incident and threatening their friendship. Ingrid and Winnie López have lived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for eight years and are ready to pass on the tradition of pranking the incoming president's family to their friends, Skylar and Zora Williams. As the pranks intensify, the girls must navigate their actions to avoid historical consequences.
Age
8-12
Length
256 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Ingrid Lopez
Winnie Lopez
Skylar Johnson
Zora Johnson
Discussion points
How do you think Ines and Winnie felt when they started their pranks? Can you share a time when a playful situation got out of hand for you?
What do you think the sisters learned about family and forgiveness by the end of the book?
How did the setting of the White House contribute to the girls' adventures and misadventures? If you were in the White House, what prank would you pull?
How do the sisters handle resolving their conflicts? What would you have done differently in their shoes?
Why do you think the author chose sisters as the main characters? How would the story change if it were about brothers or friends?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, relate personal family anecdotes that mirror themes of sibling rivalry and resolution.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the characters’ decisions, emphasizing empathy and understanding different perspectives.
Draw parallels between the historical and prestigious setting of the White House and the universal, everyday interactions of the siblings to enhance their understanding of the story’s context.
Use examples from the book to discuss the importance of teamwork and communication, highlighting how the sisters could have better addressed their disagreements.
Post-discussion, collaborate with your child to create a 'prank plan'—a fun, harmless prank they could hypothetically execute, focusing on creativity and the limits of playful behavior.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of empathy and understanding
Explanation: In 'Shaking Up the House', the sisters learn to appreciate each other's feelings and perspectives after engaging in a series of pranks that go too far.
Real-World Application: Children can use this lesson to better understand and respect the feelings and viewpoints of their siblings or peers, leading to more harmonious relationships.
Example Lesson: Responsibility for one's actions
Explanation: As the pranks escalate, the characters in the book come to realize the consequences of their actions, taking responsibility and working to rectify their mistakes.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of owning up to their mistakes and understanding that actions have consequences, fostering a sense of responsibility.
Example Lesson: Creative problem-solving
Explanation: The sisters use creativity to come up with pranks and eventually, to find solutions to mend their relationships.
Real-World Application: Children learn to apply creative thinking to resolve conflicts and overcome challenges in everyday situations.
Example Lesson: Value of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, the sisters learn that working together is more effective than working against each other.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in group activities at school or play, teaching children the benefits of collaborating with others to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Importance of family
Explanation: Despite the conflicts and challenges presented in the story, the strong underlying message is the importance of family and coming together.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to value and nurture their family bonds, recognizing the unique support system a family provides.