Simply Suspense: Book and Cassette Pack (Penguin Readers: Level 2)
All Aboard Reading Series
on Goodreads (55)
What’s inside...
Three terrifying short stories explore fear and danger. In one story, a man faces a deadly choice between two doors; in another, a woman encounters a mysterious presence in her altered hotel room; and in the third, a man spends a harrowing night in a waxwork museum. 'Penguin Readers' is a series designed to help English language students enjoy reading through graded difficulty levels, offering simplified novels, film novelizations, and original titles. The series also includes exercises aimed at vocabulary building, comprehension, and writing, with some titles available with audio cassettes and supporting 'Penguin Readers Factsheets' for classroom use.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
10-13
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the characters were feeling during the suspenseful parts of the story?
Why do you think the author chose to create suspense in the book?
How would you have reacted if you were in the same situation as the characters?
What do you think might happen next if the story continued?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use different voices for the characters to make the reading more lively and capture your child's attention.
Pause at suspenseful moments and ask your child to predict what might happen next, enhancing their critical thinking skills.
Discuss the characters’ decisions and actions, and ask your child if they would have done something differently, promoting empathy and decision-making analysis.
Encourage your child to describe how the story made them feel, helping them to express and manage their emotions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of critical thinking
Explanation: Through engaging suspenseful tales, 'Simply Suspense' compels readers to analyze situations and predict outcomes, fostering critical thinking.
Real-World Application: Children can use critical thinking skills to solve problems in schoolwork and social interactions.
Example Lesson: The value of courage and bravery
Explanation: Characters in these stories often face dangerous or frightening situations, demonstrating courage.
Real-World Application: Children learn to face their own fears and challenges confidently, whether in standing up to bullies or trying new activities.
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences of actions
Explanation: The narrative in 'Simply Suspense' links characters' decisions to outcomes, illustrating how choices have consequences.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to think before they act, understanding that their decisions affect themselves and others around them.
Example Lesson: Developing empathy
Explanation: As readers follow the characters’ fear and anxiety, they understand and share the feelings of another person.
Real-World Application: This sense of empathy can help children in nurturing relationships and understanding diverse perspectives in their communities.
Example Lesson: The significance of perseverance
Explanation: Characters in the book often succeed by not giving up despite difficulties or delays in achieving success.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to continue working towards their goals, regardless of obstacles they might face.