The Angel of Barbican High
UQP Young Adult Fiction Series
on Goodreads (6)
What’s inside...
Through a series of poems written to a personal angel, Jez shares her love for her boyfriend and her guilt over his death, but as her grief and depression intensify, it is her friendship with class nerd Tommy that may save her.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
11-12
Length
192 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What qualities do you think make someone an angel like in 'The Angel of Barbican High'?
How did the main character's actions affect those around them?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone and it made you feel good?
What do you think you could do to be like the angel in your school or community?
How do you think the story would change if it was set in our hometown?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, give a brief overview of the plot to pique your child’s interest.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next after a couple of chapters to stimulate their imagination and anticipation.
Pause at intense moments and ask your child how they feel about the situation, fostering emotional intelligence.
After finishing the book, encourage your child to draw or act out their favorite scene, deepening their connection to the story.
Link discussions to real-life events or actions to make the themes more relevant and actionable for your child.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: The protagonist of 'The Angel of Barbican High' demonstrates empathy by understanding and sharing the feelings of others, which helps in resolving conflicts and building friendships.
Real-World Application: Children can use empathy to better understand their peers and cultivate meaningful relationships, improving their social interactions both in school and during play.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters face their fears in various situations, showcasing the importance of bravery in overcoming personal and external challenges.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to face their own fears, such as trying new activities or standing up against bullying, fostering resilience and self-confidence.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Characters in the story are tasked with responsibilities that they must handle, teaching the importance of accountability and reliability.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this lesson by taking charge of small duties at home or in school, which helps them develop a sense of responsibility and pride in their accomplishments.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The children in 'The Angel of Barbican High' often work together to solve problems, highlighting how collaboration can lead to greater success than working alone.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in group projects or team sports, where cooperation is key to achieving common goals.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The book champions persevering through difficult times or tasks, showing that persistence can eventually lead to success.
Real-World Application: Children learn to not give up easily, be it in completing a challenging homework assignment or learning a new skill.