Starlet Rivals
#1 of 2 in The Bollywood Academy Series
on Goodreads (21)
What’s inside...
Twelve-year-old Bela has always dreamed of becoming a Bollywood star. When she gets a chance to compete in the Dance Starz reality TV show, she seizes the opportunity to potentially enroll in the prestigious Bollywood Academy in Mumbai. Along the way, she faces competition and the challenge of whether child star Monica will be her friend or rival. Praise for the book highlights its appeal to young readers who dream of stardom and enjoy stories with great characters and exciting situations.
Discussion points
What do you think motivated Nina to pursue her passion for dancing despite the challenges she faced?
How do you think the rivalry between Nina and Amber affected their performances?
What did you learn about teamwork and competition from the story?
How would you handle a situation where you felt overshadowed by a peer, like Nina felt with Amber?
What qualities do you admire most in Nina, and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing a similar personal experience of a rivalry or competition to make the conversation relatable.
Ask your child to consider the story from Amber's perspective as well as Nina's to foster empathy and deeper understanding of character motivations.
Encourage your child to think about the real-life applications of the themes, such as resilience and perseverance.
Praise your child’s insights into the story to boost their confidence and engagement in discussing literature.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of perseverance
Explanation: In 'Starlet Rivals,' the main character faces various challenges in her ballet career, but she continues to practice and strive for improvement.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of persisting through difficult tasks and not giving up in the face of obstacles, whether in academics, sports, or personal projects.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The protagonist learns to understand her rivals’ perspectives and emotions, which transforms competition into friendship.
Real-World Application: This helps children grasp the importance of considering others' feelings and viewpoints, fostering better relationships and social interactions at school and in play.
Example Lesson: The power of teamwork
Explanation: Characters in the book realize that they achieve more when they collaborate, leading to successful group performances.
Real-World Application: Children learn that working together, sharing ideas, and supporting each other can lead to greater success in group activities and team sports.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of failure
Explanation: The characters occasionally face setbacks and failures, yet they learn from these experiences and keep improving.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that failure is just a stepping stone to success, encouraging them to embrace challenges and learn from their mistakes.
Example Lesson: The importance of hard work
Explanation: Success in the ballet competitions depicted in the story comes from dedication and hard work, not just talent.
Real-World Application: This lesson underscores the importance of diligence and effort in achieving goals, be it in education, sports, or other hobbies.