The Nightmarys
on Goodreads (2,364)
What’s inside...
Timothy July has been having nightmares about his brother, who is in a coma after being wounded in Iraq; his best friend, Stuart, who is behaving badly; the old biology specimens in his classroom; and Abigail, the new girl who seems to be a magnet for trouble. As his nightmares begin to come true, with his brother approaching him with a decaying face, Stuart in the hospital terrified of monsters, and the specimen jars tormenting both Timothy and his teacher, it becomes clear that the secret in Abigail’s past is key to these horrors. Timothy must figure out what it is before his nightmares become a deadly reality. This novel is a follow-up to Dan Poblocki's well-received book, 'The Stone Child'.
Age
8-12
Length
336 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Timothy July
Abby
Discussion points
What do you think the Nightmarys represent in the story?
How did the characters' actions affect their relationships with others?
What would you do if you were in the protagonist's situation?
How does the story make you feel about facing your fears?
What did you learn about bravery and friendship from this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the book’s events and characters.
Compare and contrast moments within the book to real-life scenarios, helping them connect themes to the world around them.
Discuss personal fears and relate them to the protagonist’s challenges, showing empathy and understanding towards their feelings.
Highlight key moments of character development and ask your child how those moments impacted the story.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next after the story ends to foster critical thinking and imagination.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in facing fears
Explanation: The protagonists in 'The Nightmarys' confront chilling challenges and supernatural entities, demonstrating bravery.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own fears, whether it's speaking in public, trying new activities, or standing up for themselves.
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: The characters often collaborate to tackle difficult situations, emphasizing that working together can lead to success.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to value cooperation and seek help from peers or family when facing difficult tasks or decisions.
Example Lesson: Resilience through adversity
Explanation: Despite numerous setbacks, the characters persist in their goals, showcasing resilience.
Real-World Application: Kids are inspired to persevere through their personal challenges, be it in academics, sports, or relationships.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking
Explanation: The young heroes must solve puzzles and decipher mysteries, which promotes analytical thinking.
Real-World Application: Children can apply critical thinking skills to solve problems at school or in social scenarios.
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences
Explanation: The story illustrates how actions have consequences, both good and bad.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to consider the outcomes of their actions and make thoughtful decisions.