#1 in The School for Good and Evil Series
The School for Good and Evil
on Goodreads (17,191)
What’s inside...
The story revolves around two best friends, Sophie and Agatha, who are taken to the School for Good and Evil, where children are trained to become fairy tale heroes or villains. Sophie, who dreams of a prince charming and a happily ever after, believes she'll be picked for the School for Good. Agatha, with her sour disposition and dark aesthetic, seems a natural fit for the School for Evil. But when the two are reversed, their friendship is put to the ultimate test.
Discussion points
What do you think are the most important qualities in a hero or a villain? How do these qualities affect their choices?
How do Sophie and Agatha challenge or conform to your ideas of good and evil? Can people change from one to the other?
Why do you think friendship is a central theme in the story? How do the characters' relationships impact their journey?
If you were a student at the School for Good and Evil, which school do you think you'd belong to and why?
What lessons do you think this book teaches about the nature of good and evil?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage open-ended responses to foster deeper understanding and personal connection with the book's themes. Use examples from the book to illustrate points and ask your child how they relate to or differ from the characters' experiences. Highlight the moral complexities in the story to help your child develop critical thinking about right and wrong. Discuss how the characters' decisions could apply to real-life situations, promoting empathy and ethical reasoning.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship and loyalty
Explanation: Throughout 'The School for Good and Evil', protagonists Sophie and Agatha navigate the complexities of their friendship, demonstrating that true friendship endures despite external conflicts and differing personal ambitions.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value and nurture their friendships, understanding that disagreements do not define the whole relationship.
Example Lesson: Challenging stereotypes
Explanation: The book subverts traditional fairy tale roles by placing characters in a school for 'Good' and 'Evil,' showing that individuals cannot be wholly good or evil and that these qualities exist within everyone.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically about labels and stereotypes, promoting open-mindedness and acceptance of others' complexities in real life.
Example Lesson: The power of choices and consequences
Explanation: As characters in the book make pivotal decisions, their choices lead to significant consequences that affect not only themselves but also those around them, illustrating the ripple effects of our actions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this understanding by considering the potential outcomes of their choices and recognizing their responsibility in shaping their lives and impacting others.
Example Lesson: Courage to stand up for what is right
Explanation: Characters in the story often face daunting challenges and moral dilemmas, yet they show bravery in standing up for their beliefs and fighting for justice.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to be courageous in their own lives, standing up against injustice and advocating for fairness, regardless of the popularity of their stance.
Example Lesson: The value of self-discovery and personal growth
Explanation: The journey of the characters in the story highlights the importance of self-discovery and growing through experiences, showing that personal evolution is a continuous process.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to embrace their personal journeys, being open to learning and evolving from their experiences, fostering a mindset geared towards growth and self-improvement.