The Last Hurrah (My Life)
The War That Saved My Life Series
on Goodreads (44)
What’s inside...
After spending a summer hiding under the covers with a broken heart, a young adult is drawn out of their funk by their best friend, who dangles tickets to a weekend-long music festival called The Last Hurrah. At the festival, they meet Link, a cute and quirky individual, and team up on a scavenger hunt for tickets to a super-secret show by their favorite band, Black Moon. The adventure leads them to cross paths with their ex, causing them to confront their past feelings and their new attraction to Link. This music festival turns out to be more than just a series of concerts; it becomes a potential turning point in their life. Profits from the first 90 days of release of this romantic comedy will be donated to #SaveOurStages, supporting independent music venues during the pandemic.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
13-18
Length
114 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think inspired the main character to take one last adventure?
How do you think the main character felt on their journey?
What lessons can we learn about friendship and bravery from this story?
If you were in the story, what would you have done differently?
Why is it important to have a 'last hurrah' in life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their emotions about the book by asking how different events made them feel.
Relate themes of the book, like adventure and friendship, to your child’s own life to deepen their understanding and connection.
Discuss the importance of taking chances and having new experiences, similar to the book’s narrative.
Create a comfortable reading environment that allows for an open conversation, showing interest in your child’s perspectives.
Praise your child’s insights and opinions to foster confidence and a deeper enjoyment in reading and discussing books.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Value of Friendship
Explanation: The story emphasizes the importance of friendships and how they can provide support and happiness in one's life.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to build and maintain positive relationships with their peers, fostering a supportive network from a young age.
Example Lesson: Resilience in Adversity
Explanation: The protagonist faces challenges but shows resilience by finding solutions and remaining optimistic.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to stay determined and positive, even when faced with difficulties, helping them develop coping mechanisms for real-life challenges.
Example Lesson: Importance of Honesty
Explanation: Characters in the book learn that honesty is crucial in building trust and integrity.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to be truthful and transparent in their daily interactions, contributing to their moral development and character building.
Example Lesson: Learning from Mistakes
Explanation: The book shows that everyone makes mistakes and that they are opportunities for learning and growth.
Real-World Application: Children can understand that mistakes are not failures but chances to learn and improve, which can boost their confidence to try new things.
Example Lesson: Celebration of Individuality
Explanation: Different characters in the book embrace their unique traits, showing that individual differences are valuable.
Real-World Application: This can help children appreciate their own uniqueness and respect others' differences, promoting diversity and self-acceptance.