Stinky Stern Forever: A Jackson Friends Book
#2 in Jackson Friends Series
on Goodreads (40)
What’s inside...
Pa Lia has never liked Stinky Stern, the enemy of the second grade. He makes fun of other kids, he says mean things, and he's always causing trouble. But when Stinky is suddenly hit by a car and killed, Pa Lia and the rest of the students in Mrs. Fennessey's class face a difficult challenge: How do you deal with the death of someone nobody really liked? This moving story is certain to resonate with anyone who has ever experienced--or even just thought about--the loss of a classmate or friend.
Character compass
Stacy
Stinky Stern
Discussion points
How did Paige handle her feelings about Stinky Stern's behavior and what can you learn from her?
What are some ways the characters in the book show their friendship?
Why do you think it's important to remember people we care about, just like the characters remember Stinky?
How did the characters in the story support each other during tough times?
If you were in this story, how would you help make a positive change in your community like the characters did?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the characters' actions and reactions. Highlight the importance of empathy and understanding.
Discuss the different ways the characters in the book showed support to one another. This can help your child think about how they can be a supportive friend in their own life.
Use examples from the book to talk about the importance of community and remembering loved ones. Ask your child how they would like to honor or remember someone important to them.
Point out specific instances of positive change or action by the characters. Ask your child how they can implement similar actions in their own environment, such as school or neighborhood.
Allow the conversation to flow naturally, and be open to discussing broader topics that may arise indirectly from the book’s themes, such as dealing with loss, building strong friendships, or contributing positively to one’s community.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Coping with loss
Explanation: The story explores how the characters deal with the death of their friend, Stinky Stern, showcasing various emotional responses and support mechanisms.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to express their feelings about loss and seek support from friends, family, and community to help them through difficult times.
Example Lesson: The power of community
Explanation: When faced with the tragic loss of Stinky Stern, the community of Jackson Friends comes together to remember him and support one another, demonstrating the strength found in unity.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of community involvement and how collective actions can help heal and support individuals during challenging periods.
Example Lesson: Resilience in adversity
Explanation: The characters in the book show resilience by finding ways to honor Stinky’s memory and continuing with their lives, which reflects their ability to adapt and find strength after a loss.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that while loss is painful, resilience can help them recover and find new ways to cherish memories while moving forward.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Characters display empathy by recognizing and respecting each other’s grief processes, which differ from one person to another.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to be considerate and empathetic towards others' feelings and situations, fostering a supportive and understanding environment.