The Chaos Monster: Secrets of the Sky
#1 of 3 in Secrets of the Sky Series
on Goodreads (110)
What’s inside...
From New York Times bestselling author Sayantani DasGupta comes a new series in which everything is connected to everything, and it’s up to twins Kiya and Kinjal to save it all. When 10-year-old Kinjal hears a strange noise in the middle of the night, he grabs his twin sister, Kiya, and the two go searching in the forest at the edge of their new house. There, they find Snowy and Midnight, two winged pakkhiraj horses from the Kingdom Beyond Seven Oceans and Thirteen Rivers who have come to this dimension to seek help -- bees are disappearing, along with the nectar the pakkhiraj horses need to survive. Whisked away to a magical realm, the twins must use Kiya’s scientific skills and Kinjal’s love of books and language. But then they discover that the disappearance of the bees is more nefarious than they thought, and the plot goes all the way to the top.
Discussion points
What do you think the Chaos Monster learns about friendship in the story?
Why is the sky important to the characters, and how does it affect their actions?
If you were in the story, how would you help solve the problems caused by the Chaos Monster?
How do you think the characters felt when they discovered the Secrets of the Sky?
What would you do if you met the Chaos Monster?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting the book, ask your child what they know about chaos or monsters to gauge their understanding and feelings.
Encourage your child to describe the sky as they imagine it from the story’s description to enhance their visualization skills.
After each chapter, pause to discuss the characters' decisions and actions to foster critical thinking.
At the end of the book, have your child draw a picture of their favorite scene to deepen their connection with the story.
Use expressive reading, altering your voice for different characters, to make the story more engaging and lively for your child.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in facing fears
Explanation: The protagonist confronts the titular Chaos Monster, representing a brave undertaking of challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their fears, whether trying new activities or standing up for themselves.
Example Lesson: Value of teamwork
Explanation: The characters work together to restore order when the Chaos Monster disrupts their world.
Real-World Application: This encourages cooperation and collaboration among peers at school or in social settings.
Example Lesson: Importance of curiosity and knowledge
Explanation: The characters use knowledge about the Sky's secrets to understand and eventually calm the Chaos Monster.
Real-World Application: This highlights the importance of learning and using knowledge to solve problems in everyday situations.
Example Lesson: Resilience through adversity
Explanation: Despite numerous setbacks caused by the Chaos Monster, the characters persist in their quest.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of persistence and resilience when facing difficulties in their personal or academic life.
Example Lesson: Kindness and understanding
Explanation: The story concludes with the characters showing empathy towards the Chaos Monster, understanding its behavior.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the power of empathy and kindness towards others who may seem different or difficult at first.