#1 in The Lemonade War Series
The Lemonade War
on Goodreads (22,104)
What’s inside...
The Lemonade War centers on a feud between fourth-grader Evan Treski and his smarty-pants younger sister, Jessie. Just as the summer break is about to start, Jessie graduates from third to fourth grade. The two siblings have a falling out which leads to a war of lemonade stands. Ultimately, both learn valuable lessons about money, entrepreneurship, and brotherhood.
Character compass
Discussion points
What motivated Jessie and Evan to start competing in the lemonade war, and how do their different motivations reflect their personalities?
How do Jessie and Evan handle their disagreements and conflicts? What could they have done differently to resolve their issues?
What role does trust play in Jessie and Evan's relationship throughout the book? Can you think of a time when trust was important in your own relationships?
Discuss the various strategies Jessie and Evan use to sell lemonade. Which strategies were most effective and why?
How did the characters change from the beginning to the end of the story? What do you think caused these changes?
Tip: Role play these questions
Highlight the importance of understanding different perspectives by asking your child to explain both Jessie's and Evan’s points of view.
Encourage critical thinking by discussing the decisions made by each character and exploring alternative choices.
Strengthen the connection to the characters by relating the siblings' experiences to similar situations in your child’s life.
Focus on the resolution of the story to discuss the importance of resolution and forgiveness in any relationship.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding entrepreneurship and business basics
Explanation: The book follows siblings Jessie and Evan as they engage in a lemonade selling competition, which encapsulates basic business concepts such as profit-making, competition, and cooperation.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these lessons by initiating small projects or sales activities, learning to manage resources and understanding the value of fair competition and teamwork.
Example Lesson: Importance of communication
Explanation: Throughout the competition, Jessie and Evan face communication breakdowns that affect their relationship and business outcomes. Effective communication is portrayed as a key to resolving conflicts and achieving goals.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to practice expressing their thoughts and feelings clearly and listening to others, vital for social interactions and team projects in school.
Example Lesson: Value of hard work and strategy
Explanation: The siblings' success fluctuates based on their work ethic and strategies. The story showcases that planning and hard work lead to better outcomes than relying on luck or hasty decisions.
Real-World Application: Kids learn the importance of preparation and effort in achieving goals, whether in academic projects, sports, or other extracurricular activities.
Example Lesson: Dealing with competition and jealousy
Explanation: As the lemonade war escalates, issues of jealousy and competitive spirit arise. The siblings learn to navigate their emotions and rivalry healthily.
Real-World Application: Children can reflect on handling feelings of jealousy and competition among peers, promoting emotional intelligence and resilience in school or play environments.
Example Lesson: Reconciliation and forgiveness
Explanation: By the end of the story, Jessie and Evan learn the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation, restoring their sibling bond over mutual respect and understanding.
Real-World Application: This lesson aids children in understanding the significance of resolving conflicts and maintaining relationships, essential for family and social harmony.