The Boy Project: A Wish Novel: Notes and Observations of Kara McAllister
Wishing Day Series
on Goodreads (57)
What’s inside...
A hilarious and engaging story about one tween girl's quest to understand boys.Kara McAllister just had her best idea yet. She's going to take notes on all of the boys in her grade (and a few elsewhere) in order to answer a seemingly simple question: How can she find the right boy for her?But Kara's project turns out to be a lot more complicated than she imagined. Soon there are secrets, lies, and an embarrassing incident in the boy's bathroom. Plus, Kara has to deal with mean girls, her slightly spacey BFF, and some surprising uses for duct tape. Still, if Kara's research leads her to the right boy, everything may just be worth it...Jam-packed with charts and graphs, heart and humor, this novel will resonate with tweens everywhere.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
272 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Kara Mcallister
Tabbi
Discussion points
What do you think motivated Kara to start 'The Boy Project'? How do you think she felt during her observations?
How do Kara’s friendships change throughout the story and what do you think these changes say about growing up?
What challenges does Kara face in her project and how does she overcome them? What does that teach us about dealing with our own challenges?
How do you think keeping a journal like Kara helps in understanding yourself better? Would you consider doing something similar?
What role do you think creativity plays in Kara's project and how can we apply creativity in solving our daily problems?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to compare their own school experiences with Kara’s, fostering a deeper connection with the character and her challenges.
Discuss the importance of perseverance, as seen in Kara's dedication to her project, to reinforce resilience in your child.
Highlight Kara’s creative problem-solving skills and brainstorm with your child about creative ways they can tackle any current issues they're facing.
Use Kara's observations and findings to initiate a chat about friendship and relationships, discussing what qualities your child values in their friendships.
Talk about the outcomes of Kara's project and ask your child if they think the project was successful and what they would have done differently.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Kara McAllister demonstrates perseverance as she tackles her Boy Project, persistently analyzing patterns to understand boys better despite facing challenges and setbacks.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of staying determined and focused, even when tasks are difficult or do not yield immediate results, such as during school projects or learning new skills.
Example Lesson: Self-acceptance
Explanation: Throughout the novel, Kara learns to accept and appreciate her unique qualities, which is a significant part of her personal growth.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to embrace their individuality and appreciate the things that make them unique, fostering a positive self-image and confidence.
Example Lesson: The value of friendship
Explanation: Kara experiences the highs and lows of friendships, learning how true friends support and uplift each other.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the importance of nurturing friendships, being a good friend, and the positive impact supportive friendships have on their lives.
Example Lesson: Scientific inquiry and critical thinking
Explanation: Kara applies scientific methods and critical thinking to understand patterns in human behavior, underlining the importance of a methodical and analytical approach.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of using logical strategies to solve problems, conduct experiments, or make decisions, useful in their academic and daily decision-making processes.
Example Lesson: Resilience in facing failure
Explanation: Kara faces failures in her project but learns to adapt and approach her problems from different angles, showcasing resilience.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that failure is a part of learning and growth, encouraging them to face setbacks with courage and creativity.