Space Hostages
Starstormers Series
on Goodreads (76)
What’s inside...
Books in the 'Take Part' series feature play parts for mixed ability group reading and are targeted at children aged 6-9 years old. The story revolves around a crazed and dying Flight Lieutenant, nine village children, and a top-secret spacecraft all adrift in space. With the situation spiraling out of control, the characters, including the brainy Brylo and the bullying Tony, must figure out who will take charge and navigate the dangers ahead. This adaptation, originally published in 1977, includes roles for five men and two women.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
11-12
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think life would be like on a different planet?
How do the characters in the book solve problems together, and what can we learn from that?
If you were in the same situation as the main characters, what would you do differently?
What role does trust play in the adventures of the characters?
How does the setting of space influence the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story, and ask how they might feel or react in similar situations.
Discuss the importance of teamwork as showcased in the book, and relate it to everyday scenarios your child might face.
Talk about the concept of space exploration, and what your child finds intriguing or important about discovering new places.
Encourage your child to think critically about the decisions characters make, and ask what other choices the characters could have made.
Use the book’s themes to have a broader conversation about trust and cooperation, and why these are important values in both friendships and larger communities.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: In 'Space Hostages', the group of young characters must work together to navigate the challenges of being accidentally sent into space. Their survival depends on effective collaboration and pooling their unique skills.
Real-World Application: Children can apply the importance of teamwork in group projects at school, sports teams, or family activities, learning that collaboration often leads to achieving goals that can't be accomplished individually.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The book showcases children facing unexpected problems in an unfamiliar environment and using their problem-solving skills to overcome them. Their creative and logical approaches lead to inventive solutions.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children learn to address conflicts or dilemmas at school or home by thinking creatively and logically, encouraging them to find innovative solutions to everyday issues.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and Leadership
Explanation: As the young characters in 'Space Hostages' find themselves alone in space, they have to take up leadership roles and manage responsibilities typically handled by adults.
Real-World Application: This story encourages children to take initiative, handle responsibilities in their lives, and understand the importance of leading by example, whether in school assignments or household chores.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: Throughout the story, the characters are thrust into constantly changing and challenging scenarios, requiring them to adapt quickly to survive.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of being flexible and adapting to new environments or rules, essential skills in today’s ever-changing world.