Stealing the Hills
Penguin Joint Venture Readers S. Series
on Goodreads (42)
What’s inside...
Five years ago, the mine in the village closed, leading to widespread job loss. Many young villagers left to find work elsewhere. Mr Beech purchased the mine and adjacent hills, promising jobs for everyone, but failed to deliver, leaving the hills now at risk. 'Penguin Readers' is a series of simplified novels and other texts designed to introduce students of all levels to reading in English. The series targets both English-speaking teenagers with limited reading skills and English language learners, providing access to literature that aligns with the National Curriculum English Orders. Books are categorized into three sub-categories and are graded across seven difficulty levels. Each book includes exercises for vocabulary building, comprehension, discussion, and writing. Some books come with audio cassettes or are available in book and cassette packs. Select titles include 'Penguin Readers Factsheets' with additional exercises and teaching suggestions.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-18
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think motivated the characters to steal the hills?
How did the characters change by the end of the story?
What would you have done differently if you were in the main character's shoes?
How do the hills in the story represent something more than just part of the landscape?
What can we learn about teamwork and collaboration from the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use pauses after each question to give your child time to think and express their thoughts.
Relate the themes of the book to personal experiences or similar situations in real life to make the discussion more relatable.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or scenarios to deepen their understanding of character motivations and story outcomes.
Highlight the importance of understanding different perspectives by discussing each character’s viewpoint.
Praise your child for their thoughts and insights, reinforcing their confidence in expressing their opinions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: Throughout 'Stealing the Hills', the characters learn the repercussions of deceit and the value of being truthful. The protagonist's journey highlights how honesty builds trust.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding the importance of telling the truth in their daily interactions, which helps in building strong relationships with friends and family.
Example Lesson: The consequences of decisions
Explanation: The book explores the theme of decision-making through its characters, who face various consequences based on their choices. This encourages readers to think critically about their actions.
Real-World Application: By reflecting on the story, children can learn to consider the potential outcomes of their choices before acting, which is a vital skill in problem-solving and responsibility.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding others
Explanation: Characters in 'Stealing the Hills' develop empathy as they experience and understand different perspectives, teaching readers about the significance of understanding others' feelings and viewpoints.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children appreciate diversity and practice empathy, fostering a more inclusive attitude towards their peers at school and in other social settings.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: The book's plot presents characters overcoming obstacles, which serves to highlight resilience as a crucial trait. This narrative arc inspires readers to persevere, despite difficulties.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to adopt a resilient mindset when facing personal challenges, be it at school or in other aspects of life, boosting their confidence and determination.