The Hero of Crow's Crossing (Red Rhino Books) (Red Rhino Fiction)
Red Rhino Books Series
on Goodreads (11)
What’s inside...
Themes: Gossip, Mystery, Fiction, Tween, Emergent Reader, Chapter Book, Hi-Lo, Hi-Lo Books, Hi-Lo Solutions, High-Low Books, Hi-Low Books, ELL, EL, ESL, Struggling Learner, Struggling Reader, Special Education, SPED, Newcomers, Reading, Learning, Education, Educational, Educational Books. Excellent teacher Mr. Ridley appears from nowhere and accepts a teaching job at the tiny and poor Crow's Crossing School. He's an excellent teacher, but questions swirl around him. Why is he here? Where did he come from? And most importantly, why is he digging holes on Shadow Hill? Tazmin doesn't care about all that. She's learning math. Her brother is learning how to read. But the truth has a way of revealing itself, much to Tazmin's dismay. This series of short novels was designed to engage a broad spectrum of struggling readers. No longer will upper-elementary students have to read material junior to their maturity and interests. Characters are age appropriate and come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Science fiction, sports, paranormal, realistic life, historical fiction, and fantasy are just a few of the many genres. Books are no higher than a 1.5 reading level, with illustrations on every spread that support visual literacy and draw kids into the text. Each book is around 70 pages.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
60 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes someone a hero? Can you relate any characters in the story to someone you consider a hero in real life?
How do the choices the characters make affect their lives and the lives of others around them?
What would you have done differently if you were in the main character's situation?
How do you think the setting of Crow's Crossing influences the story? Would it be different if it was set somewhere else?
What lessons did the main character learn by the end of the book? Did you learn any lessons yourself?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start with discussing the concept of heroism and leadership as depicted in the book. Allow your child to express their thoughts freely, encouraging them to think critically about the traits of a hero. Share personal stories of everyday heroism to make the conversation relatable and meaningful. Explore the motivations behind characters' actions to deepen your child’s understanding of cause and effect. Lastly, connect the book’s themes to your child’s own experiences to help them apply the lessons learned from the book in their daily life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of adversity
Explanation: The protagonist demonstrates bravery by confronting challenges in Crow's Crossing, teaching children the value of facing their fears.
Real-World Application: Children can emulate this by standing up for themselves and others in difficult situations at school or in social settings.
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship and trust
Explanation: Throughout the story, the characters rely on the strength of their friendships to overcome obstacles, highlighting the importance of trust and teamwork.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to build strong, trusting relationships with their peers, which can provide emotional support and enhance collaborative skills.
Example Lesson: Resilience through setbacks
Explanation: The protagonist experiences setbacks but learns to persevere, providing a powerful example of resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to persevere through their own academic or personal challenges, understanding that setbacks can be a part of growth and learning.
Example Lesson: Empathy and kindness
Explanation: Characters in the book show empathy and kindness to others, teaching the importance of these values in building strong, caring communities.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to practice empathy and kindness in their everyday interactions, promoting a more inclusive and supportive environment at home and school.
Example Lesson: Moral integrity
Explanation: The hero of the story adheres to a set of moral principles despite various temptations and challenges, emphasizing the importance of integrity.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to uphold their own values and principles, even when faced with peer pressure or challenging decisions.