The Bellwoods Game
What’s inside...
Perfect for fans of Small Spaces and Doll Bones, this spooky, highly illustrated middle grade novel follows a girl named Bailee who hopes to fix her outcast status by playing the Bellwoods Game in the haunted woods of Fall Hollow. This annual tradition, played on Halloween night, involves ringing a bell in the woods to win the game and save the town for another year. But legend has it that if Abigail’s ghost captures the players first, the spirit is let loose to wreak havoc. With a wish at stake if she wins, Bailee enters the game hoping to revert back to her happier days before her grandma got sick and the school turned against her. However, as the night unfolds, the children realize that there is something sinister lurking in the woods, challenging everything they thought they knew about the game and each other.
Age
8-12
Length
320 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Rosie learned from her adventure in Bellwoods?
How did the magical creatures help Rosie in the story? What would you do if you met a magical creature?
Why do you think Rosie decided to return home even though she was having fun in Bellwoods?
What aspects of Bellwoods would you like to see in our world, and why?
How did Rosie's feelings change throughout the story and what caused those changes?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate Rosie’s feelings and decisions to their own experiences. This can build empathy and deepen their understanding of the character's journey.
Ask your child to describe their favorite part of Bellwoods and explore why it stood out to them. This helps children articulate their thoughts and refine their observation skills.
Invite your child to imagine their own magical world. Discuss what kind of creatures and adventures they would include, promoting creativity and narrative skills.
Focus on the moral of the story by discussing Rosie’s decisions and the outcomes. Highlight how her choices reflect values such as bravery and responsibility.
Utilize visual aids from the book to engage younger readers, pointing to illustrations when discussing different parts of the story, thus enhancing visual literacy.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: In 'The Bellwoods Game,' the characters must work together to solve puzzles and face challenges, emphasizing the importance of collaboration.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of working together with others to achieve common goals, which can be applied in school projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving Skills
Explanation: The game-centered plot encourages players to think critically and devise strategic solutions, showcasing effective problem-solving.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children tackle everyday challenges and academic tasks by encouraging them to think critically and creatively.
Example Lesson: Perseverance and Resilience
Explanation: Characters in the book frequently encounter setbacks but learn to persevere and adapt, highlighting resilience.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to keep trying despite difficulties, a skill that is beneficial in learning new subjects or mastering new skills.
Example Lesson: Respect for Different Perspectives
Explanation: As characters in the book come from diverse backgrounds with different skills, the story teaches respect for various viewpoints.
Real-World Application: This promotes an understanding and appreciation of diverse perspectives in a child’s school and community environment.
Example Lesson: Importance of Rules and Fair Play
Explanation: The game in 'The Bellwoods Game' has specific rules which all players must follow, underscoring the importance of fair play.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of adhering to rules and the impact of fairness in their interactions with peers.