Slick
Orca Currents Series
on Goodreads (120)
What’s inside...
Eric Young is the first child android to be trialled in society, but he doesn't know that. He has recently moved to Ashland from New York City and is focused on making new friends who share his interests in skateboarding and the new Slick trainers sent by his Uncle Martin. As he grows his social media presence, he meets Danny Lazio, a loner with a passion for the online game Land X. Though initially hesitant, Danny becomes intrigued by Eric's mysterious lifestyle and frequent disappearances. As their friendship deepens, strange occurrences surrounding Eric become harder to ignore, leading to an investigation that could endanger them both as powerful forces begin to converge around them.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
320 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Eric Young
Slick
Discussion points
What do you think about the friendship between Eric and the robot? How important is trust in a friendship?
If you had a robot friend like Danny, what activities would you do together?
Eric faces some tough decisions in the story. What would you do if you were in his shoes?
How do you think technology can help us in our daily lives? Can you think of any drawbacks?
What did you learn about the importance of honesty from the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Begin the conversation by sharing your own thoughts on the book to open up a two-way dialogue.
Ask open-ended questions to encourage your child to think critically about the story and relate it to their own experiences.
Use examples from the book to discuss broader life lessons, such as the importance of honesty and the impact of technology on our lives.
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story and consider different ways they might react to the situations presented.
Listen actively to your child’s responses and follow up with additional questions to deepen the discussion.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship and teamwork
Explanation: In 'Slick,' the protagonist learns to work with others to overcome challenges, emphasizing that collaboration can lead to success.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in sports, learning how to cooperate and value each member's contribution.
Example Lesson: Understanding the impact of technology on relationships
Explanation: The story explores how technology can both connect and isolate individuals, highlighting the need to maintain real-world relationships.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children balance their screen time with personal interactions, reinforcing the importance of face-to-face communication and connections.
Example Lesson: Ethical decision-making
Explanation: Characters in 'Slick' face dilemmas that require them to choose between right and wrong, illustrating the complexities of ethical choices.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think critically about the consequences of their actions and make thoughtful decisions in their daily interactions with peers and family.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The book shows characters overcoming setbacks and failures, teaching that persistence and courage are key to tackling difficulties.
Real-World Application: Kids can embrace challenges in learning or social situations, understanding that setbacks are natural and can be overcome with determination.
Example Lesson: Value of creativity and innovation
Explanation: Through problem-solving scenarios in the book, the importance of thinking creatively and innovatively is underscored.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to apply inventive thinking in school projects or while interacting with others, enhancing their creative problem-solving skills.