The Legend of Greg: Failures
#1 of 3 in An Epic Series of Failures
on Goodreads (943)
What’s inside...
Risk-averse Greg Belmont is content with being ordinary at his fancy prep school until he discovers he's actually a Dwarf. His new identity is revealed when his dad brings home a bizarre tea that awakens strange abilities in Greg. Soon after, his dad is kidnapped by a murderous Bro-Troll, and Greg is taken to the Underground where Dwarves have lived for centuries beneath Chicago. With the help of new friends and a talking ax, Greg learns about the Dwarves' history of epic failures and their ancient magic. As tensions rise with their enemies, the Elves, Greg must navigate his newfound abilities and save his dad in a world turned upside down. Brimming with humor and action, Chris Rylander's 'The Legend of Greg' delivers a twist on dwarf lore in an irresistible adventure.
Character compass
Greg Belmont
Edwin
Discussion points
What do you think Greg learned from his failures? How can we learn from our mistakes?
How did Greg's friends help him during tough times? Why is friendship important?
Greg faced many challenges in the story. Which challenge was the toughest, and how did he overcome it?
Do you think Greg changed by the end of the book? In what ways did he grow?
If you were in Greg's place, how would you handle the failures he encountered?
Tip: Role play these questions
Highlight the importance of persistence and resilience discussed in the book. Encourage your child to share personal experiences where they had to persevere.
Discuss the role of friendship in overcoming difficulties, and relate it to your child’s own friendships and social experiences.
Identify parts of the story where Greg feels overwhelmed and discuss strategies for managing emotions and stress.
Praise the child’s insights and connections they make between the book and their own life, fostering a deeper understanding and personal growth.
Use examples from the book to discuss the concept of growth mindset, emphasizing that skills and abilities can be developed with effort and learning from failures.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: In 'The Legend of Greg: Failures,' the protagonist, Greg, faces numerous challenges but learns to overcome them through persistence and determination.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by not giving up when they face difficulties in school or in their personal lives, understanding that perseverance can lead to success.
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship
Explanation: Throughout the story, Greg relies on his friends for support and assistance, emphasizing the value of having trustworthy and caring friendships.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied by encouraging children to cultivate and maintain positive relationships with their peers, which can provide emotional support and enrich their lives.
Example Lesson: Accepting personal flaws
Explanation: Greg learns to accept and even embrace his imperfections, which helps him grow as a character.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize and accept their own flaws, understanding that everyone has weaknesses and that they are part of what makes us unique.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: The book presents Greg with various problems that he needs to solve creatively and logically.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to apply critical thinking and problem-solving strategies in their studies and when dealing with interpersonal conflicts.
Example Lesson: Learning from failure
Explanation: Greg experiences failures but uses them as opportunities to learn and improve himself.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to view failures as stepping stones to success and to understand that learning from mistakes is a valuable part of growth.