The Highland Falcon Thief
#1 of 6 in Adventures on Trains Series
on Goodreads (2,691)
What’s inside...
Harrison Beck is reluctantly joining his travel-writer Uncle Nat for the last journey of the royal train, The Highland Falcon. But as the train makes its way to Scotland, a priceless brooch goes missing, and things are suddenly a lot more interesting. As suspicions and accusations run high among the passengers and crew, Harrison becomes a young detective in training, using his observational skills to uncover clues and solve the mystery.
Character compass
Harrison Beck
Lenny
Nathaniel Bradshaw
Discussion points
What do you think motivated Hal to solve the mystery on the Highland Falcon?
How do relationships between characters change throughout the story?
What role does trust play in Hal's adventures?
How would you solve a mystery if you were on a train like the Highland Falcon?
What did you learn about different social classes through the characters in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Begin the discussion by asking your child about their favorite character and why they found them interesting.
Encourage your child to think critically by asking them how they would behave if they were in Hal’s situation.
Discuss the historical and social settings of the story to give your child a broader understanding of the context.
Encourage your child to draw parallels between the challenges faced by characters in the book and real-life situations.
Utilize examples from the book to discuss the importance of courage and honesty in everyday life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: Throughout the book, the main character, Hal, demonstrates honesty as he navigates through the mystery aboard the Highland Falcon, showing that telling the truth helps resolve conflicts and uncover facts.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being transparent in their daily interactions, building trust with their peers and adults.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: Hal teams up with other characters to solve the mystery, illustrating that cooperation can lead to solving problems that one might not be able to handle alone.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to work together in group settings such as school projects or team sports, enhancing their social and cooperative skills.
Example Lesson: Observation and critical thinking
Explanation: As a young sleuth, Hal carefully observes his surroundings and analyzes clues, which is crucial in solving the mystery on the train.
Real-World Application: Children learn to pay attention to details and think critically about the information they encounter, skills that are vital for academic success and everyday decisions.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: Hal faces various obstacles during his journey on the Highland Falcon but remains determined to uncover the truth.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the value of perseverance and continuing to strive towards their goals, despite difficulties.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding diverse perspectives
Explanation: Interacting with different passengers from various backgrounds helps Hal to understand and empathize with different viewpoints.
Real-World Application: By recognizing diverse perspectives, children can enhance their emotional intelligence and build better relationships with others around them.