The Creeping Shadow
#4 of 5 in Lockwood & Co. Series
on Goodreads (28,950)
What’s inside...
After leaving Lockwood & Co. at the end of The Hollow Boy, Lucy becomes a freelance operative and is later reunited with Lockwood for a dangerous mission from Penelope Fittes to locate and remove the Source for the Brixton Cannibal. Despite their success, tensions among the team remain, complicated by the talking skull and unresolved mysteries surrounding Steve Rotwell and Penelope Fittes. As they navigate black marketeers and an informant ghost, their teamwork is put to the test, culminating in a shocking revelation that someone has been manipulating them all along.
Character compass
Lucy Carlyle
Anthony Lockwood
Quill Kipps
Holly Munro
George Cubbins
Flo Bones
Penelope Fittes
Discussion points
What do you think are the main challenges the characters face in 'The Creeping Shadow'? How would you handle similar situations?
How do the relationships between characters change throughout the story? What can we learn from how they deal with conflicts?
What are some of the key themes in 'The Creeping Shadow'? How do these themes relate to your own experiences at school or with friends?
The title 'The Creeping Shadow' has a mysterious feel. What do you think it represents in the story? Can you think of any 'shadows' in real life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect on the characters' decisions and their consequences. Discuss how empathy and understanding can be drawn from the characters' experiences. Connect the themes of the book to real-world situations your child may face, enhancing their ability to relate and learn from the story. Use the mysterious elements of the book to foster curiosity and critical thinking about the 'shadows' or challenges they perceive in the world around them.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: In 'The Creeping Shadow', the characters must work together to solve mysteries and overcome obstacles. Their success is largely due to their ability to collaborate and utilize each other's strengths.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in group activities or team sports, learning to value each member’s contributions and understanding the importance of working together to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Courage in the Face of Fear
Explanation: The young protagonists frequently face dangerous and frightening situations. Their bravery in these moments is a central theme, demonstrating how courage enables them to tackle challenges head-on.
Real-World Application: This lesson can teach children to face their own fears, whether it's speaking in front of the class, trying out for a team, or standing up against unfair treatment.
Example Lesson: Importance of Integrity
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters are faced with decisions that test their integrity. Choosing what is right over what is easy is a recurrent challenge, highlighting the value of ethical behavior.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of honesty and making morally sound decisions, even when it might be easier to lie or cheat. This can help in building their character and trustworthiness.
Example Lesson: Resilience and Perseverance
Explanation: The characters in 'The Creeping Shadow' encounter numerous setbacks. However, their resilience in difficult times serves as a powerful example of persistence.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to keep trying in the face of adversity, whether it’s dealing with academic challenges, personal setbacks, or learning new skills.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: As the characters interact with a variety of supernatural beings, they learn to understand and empathize with perspectives different from their own.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to show empathy towards classmates and friends who may be different from them, promoting inclusiveness and understanding in their everyday interactions.