The Puppet's Payback and Other Chilling Tales
not part of a series
on Goodreads (524)
What’s inside...
Best-selling author Mary Downing Hahn delivers a collection of thrilling and chilling tales in her book, each featuring spooky elements that turn ordinary objects into sinister links to the supernatural. The stories include a malicious hand puppet that becomes part of the body, a school designed to prepare students for death, and a boy who lends his baseball glove even after his death. Young characters in these tales face consequences from their past actions or present behavior. An afterword shares Hahn's sources of inspiration and provides writing tips for young authors.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
192 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What emotions did you feel while reading the different stories in 'The Puppet's Payback'? Can you explain why?
Which story in the book was the most memorable for you, and what lesson do you think it teaches?
How do the characters in the book handle fear or uncertainty? What can we learn from their reactions?
Why do you think the author chose to use a puppet in the title story? How does it contribute to the atmosphere of the tale?
If you could change one thing in any of the stories, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the stories openly, without fear of judgement. This helps in understanding their perspective and emotional reasoning. Use the discussion as an opportunity to explore themes like courage, decision-making, and moral values. Relate the stories to real-life situations when possible, which can help your child apply the lessons learned from the book. Lastly, ensure to listen actively, showing interest and enthusiasm in what your child shares, which reinforces their confidence in expressing themselves.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Through the narratives, characters face various emotional challenges, teaching children to understand and share the feelings of others.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this understanding by being more considerate and responsive towards their peers' emotions.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The stories often show characters facing the outcomes of their choices, underlining the cause-and-effect nature of decisions.
Real-World Application: This helps children grasp the importance of thinking before acting and encourages responsible decision-making in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Courage in face of fear
Explanation: Characters in the tales frequently confront eerie scenarios requiring bravery, inspiring readers to handle their fears constructively.
Real-World Application: Children learn to manage their own fears and stand up for themselves and others in frightening or uncomfortable situations.
Example Lesson: Importance of storytelling
Explanation: The book emphasizes the power and impact of storytelling through its captivating and suspenseful tales.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to engage more with literature and storytelling, enhancing their creativity and communication skills.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: The characters often navigate perplexing and chilling situations, which teaches children to think critically and solve problems.
Real-World Application: Kids can utilize these skills to tackle challenges in schoolwork or in solving everyday problems independently.