Stephen Fair
on Goodreads (110)
What’s inside...
At the age of fifteen, Stephen begins having nightmares like the ones that drove his older brother away from home. Eventually, these dreams lead to a shocking discovery that allows his family to come back together. Meanwhile, Stephen tries to piece together a childhood secret that has driven away his older brother Marcus and his father Doug. This journey helps him to bring his family back together, accept who he is, and understand what 'family' really means.
Age
12-15
Length
256 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Stephen was feeling when he arrived at his grandmother's house? Can you relate to his emotions?
Why do you think Stephen is so curious about the fair? What does this tell us about him?
How do the secrets in the story affect the characters? What would you do if you were in their shoes?
What role do you think the setting plays in the story? How would the story change if it were set somewhere else?
What did you learn from the resolution of the story? Was there anything surprising about how things turned out?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in Stephen's shoes to better understand his actions and reactions. Discuss the characters' motivations and decisions to enhance critical thinking. Use the mysterious elements of the story to engage your child's imagination and prediction skills. Finally, relate themes from the book to real-life situations to help your child apply the story's lessons beyond the pages.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in facing challenges
Explanation: The protagonist, Stephen, encounters various obstacles and learns to navigate them with resilience and determination.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to persevere through difficulties in school or personal challenges, understanding that persistence is key to overcoming obstacles.
Example Lesson: The importance of truth and integrity
Explanation: Stephen faces moral dilemmas that test his integrity, ultimately learning that honesty is vital.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the value of being truthful in their interactions and maintaining a clear conscience.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding others
Explanation: Through interactions with other characters, Stephen learns to empathize and see situations from different perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to consider others' feelings and viewpoints, fostering better relationships and understanding in social interactions.
Example Lesson: Importance of family support
Explanation: Stephen's journey highlights the support he receives from his family, showing how crucial familial support is during tough times.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to appreciate and seek support from their own families and understand the strength that comes from family unity.