Steelheart: The Reckoners
#1 of 3 in The Reckoners Series
on Goodreads (189,593)
What’s inside...
Ten years ago, a phenomenon known as Calamity gifted ordinary people with supernatural powers, turning them into Epics. However, these Epics desired to dominate humanity rather than help it. The Reckoners, a clandestine group of ordinary humans, are dedicated to studying and eliminating Epics. David, who has a personal vendetta against the seemingly invincible Epic named Steelheart, seeks to join the Reckoners. With his unique experience of seeing Steelheart bleed, David holds the key to taking down the Epic who killed his father.
Character compass
David Charleston
Tia
Edmund Sense (Conflux)
Cody
Abraham
Megan Tarash
Jonathan Phaedrus
Steelheart
Thia
David
Discussion points
How do you think David felt when he decided to join the Reckoners, and why do you think he made that choice?
What qualities make Steelheart a powerful leader, and do any of these qualities appear in good leaders as well?
What role do you think fear and bravery play in the story, and how do the characters handle their fears?
How does the idea of revenge drive the characters' actions, and do you think it helps or harms them in the end?
If you had a superpower, what would it be and how would you choose to use it for the good of others?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to compare and contrast characters in the book, discussing what makes each character unique and their motivations.
Discuss the moral dilemmas presented in the story. Ask your child what they would do in similar situations and why.
Explore the concept of heroism with your child. Discuss what makes someone a hero and whether anyone can be a hero.
Focus on the setting and ask how the futuristic world impacts the characters and storyline. This will help your child understand the importance of context in literature.
Relate the story's themes to real-life events or situations to help your child make connections with the world around them.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of courage and bravery
Explanation: In 'Steelheart: The Reckoners', the protagonist, David, showcases remarkable bravery as he confronts the seemingly invincible supervillain, Steelheart, to avenge his father's death and fight for justice.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own fears and stand up for what is right, whether it's speaking out against bullying or defending their own ideas and beliefs in challenging situations.
Example Lesson: The value of teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: Throughout the book, David joins forces with the Reckoners, a group dedicated to fighting Epics. This collaboration highlights how working together can achieve goals that might seem impossible for an individual.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of collaborating with others to solve problems and achieve common goals, either in school projects or in sports.
Example Lesson: The power of resilience and perseverance
Explanation: David's journey is fraught with setbacks and challenges. Despite this, his persistent efforts and resilience demonstrate the power of continuing to strive towards one’s goals.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to persist in their efforts whether it is in learning a new skill, improving in a sport, or achieving academic goals, despite difficulties or delays.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and strategic planning
Explanation: David's success against the Epics stems not only from his bravery but also from his ability to think critically and plan strategically, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of his adversaries.
Real-World Application: Children can apply critical thinking to their studies and personal decisions, learning to assess situations from different angles and plan their actions accordingly.