The Burning Mountain
#4 in City Five Series
on Goodreads (39)
What’s inside...
At the end of it all you have to come back. What is taken must be returned. The story revolves around FOUR CLUES: A soldier's badge, a gold coin, volcanic rock, a piece of shrapnel. It also spans across TWO WARS: Then and Now, giving the characters ONE CHANCE to do the right thing. The protagonists, Craig and Denise, learn that war isn't just something that happens to others in distant places, but can disrupt life unexpectedly.
Discussion points
How did the character's journey in 'The Burning Mountain' make you feel?
What would you do if you were in the character’s situation?
What are some ways the characters in the book showed courage?
How do you think the story would change if it was set in today’s world?
What lessons can we learn from the challenges faced by the characters?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the book's scenarios, whether they found them exciting, scary, or confusing.
Compare the challenges faced by the characters with everyday challenges your child might encounter, and discuss possible parallels.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings for the book and discuss how those changes could affect the message or themes of the story.
Reinforce that it's okay to have different opinions about the book and promote a healthy discussion about disagreement.
Connect themes from the book to real-world events or historical instances to make the content more relatable and impactful.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of resilience
Explanation: In 'The Burning Mountain', the characters face numerous challenges and adversities, showing great resilience in overcoming them.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of perseverance and determination in the face of difficulties, which is applicable in their daily challenges, be it in school or personal life.
Example Lesson: Respect for diverse cultures
Explanation: The story explores the interaction and blending of different cultures, emphasizing respect and understanding.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children appreciate cultural diversity and promotes inclusivity in their interactions with classmates and friends from various backgrounds.
Example Lesson: Consequences of choices
Explanation: Characters in the book make various decisions that lead to different outcomes, illustrating the impact of one's choices.
Real-World Application: Children can relate this to making thoughtful decisions in real-life scenarios, understanding their actions have consequences.
Example Lesson: Value of teamwork
Explanation: The characters often work together to solve problems, highlighting the strength found in teamwork.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to collaborate with others, whether in school projects or group activities, fostering teamwork and cooperation skills.
Example Lesson: The power of storytelling
Explanation: Storytelling is a significant element in 'The Burning Mountain', used to bridge cultural gaps and forge connections.
Real-World Application: Children learn to use storytelling as a tool to express themselves, share their experiences, and connect with others emotionally and intellectually.