The Detective's Assistant
on Goodreads (1,833)
What’s inside...
The story revolves around the true figure of Kate Warne, the country's first female detective, and her fictional 11-year-old niece, Nell, who comes to live with her. As she assists her aunt in secret investigations, Nell confronts danger, deciphers codes, and uses her wit to resolve mysteries. Based on the extraordinary true story of America's first-ever female detective, this fast-paced adventure recounts feats of daring and danger, including saving the life of Abraham Lincoln!
Age
8-12
Length
368 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Nell Warne
Allan Pinkerton
Kate Warne
Discussion points
What qualities do you think make Nell a good detective? Can you think of a time when you solved a problem like a detective?
How do the historical settings and events in the book affect the characters’ lives? What if the story occurred in today's world?
Why do you think the author chose to mix real historical events with fiction? How did it make the story feel more engaging or real to you?
What did you learn about the different struggles people faced during the 1850s? How do the characters overcome these challenges?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use the historical backdrop of the story to dive deeper into a mini history lesson with your child, enhancing both their knowledge and interest in the era.
Discuss Nell’s character traits and actions that your child admires. Relate them to everyday scenarios where your child can apply similar qualities.
Point out the blending of fact and fiction elements in the story, and encourage your child to think critically about where they might draw the line between the two.
Talk about the challenges faced by the characters and ask your child how they might handle similar situations, fostering problem-solving skills and empathy.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of perseverance
Explanation: The protagonist, Nell, demonstrates perseverance as she helps her aunt solve mysteries, despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks.
Real-World Application: Children can learn that persisting through difficulties, whether it's completing a tough school project or resolving conflicts with friends, can lead to successful outcomes.
Example Lesson: The value of resourcefulness
Explanation: Throughout the book, Nell uses her creativity and intelligence to gather clues and solve puzzles.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and use their imagination to solve problems in their daily lives, from puzzles to real-world issues.
Example Lesson: The significance of teamwork
Explanation: Nell and her aunt must collaborate closely to crack cases, demonstrating how teamwork can lead to uncovering the truth and achieving goals.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the importance of working with others to achieve common goals in school projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: Understanding historical contexts
Explanation: The setting of the story during significant historical events helps children learn about history in an engaging way.
Real-World Application: This aspect of the book can spark interest in learning more about history and understanding the context of different time periods in their studies.
Example Lesson: Empathy and acceptance
Explanation: Nell's interactions with diverse characters teach her about empathy and accepting others regardless of their backgrounds.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate diversity and treat everyone with respect, enhancing their social interactions and fostering an inclusive attitude.