The Secret of the Indian
#3 of 5 in Indian in the Cupboard Series
on Goodreads (9,515)
What’s inside...
The Secret of the Indian is an engaging tale about a magical cupboard that has the power to bring plastic objects to life. As Omri's friend Patrick joins the adventure, the stakes are raised as they take on greater responsibilities to safeguard the living miniatures. The story intensifies as Omri's journeys with Little Bear take him through various periods including the French and Indian wars, the present day, and back to the Old West at the turn of the century.
Character compass
Omri
Boone
Little Bear
Patrick
Discussion points
What did you think about Omri's decision to bring Little Bear and Boone into the present? How do you think their experiences in the present differ from their own time?
Why is it important that Omri learns about the consequences of his actions on his miniature friends? How does it relate to understanding responsibility in real life?
What role do friendship and trust play in the adventures of Omri and his friends? Can you think of a time when you had to trust a friend?
How do you think the story would have changed if Omri hadn’t found the key to the magic cupboard? What do you think are the pros and cons of having such a powerful object?
What lessons do you think Omri learned by the end of the book? How do you think these lessons could help us in our daily lives?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the relationship between the characters and their actions, emphasizing how decisions can affect others.
Discuss the book's setting and how cultural and historical differences can influence character behavior and events. This can lead to a broader conversation about empathy and understanding.
Utilize the book’s imaginative premise to ask your child how they would use a magic cupboard. Discuss the ideas of power and responsibility linked with it.
After discussing the key questions, encourage your child to draw a scene from the book or create a small story of their own, imagining further adventures for Omri and his friends.
Foster connections between the book’s themes and real-life scenarios to help your child apply the book's lessons in everyday situations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In 'The Secret of the Indian,' Omri learns to take responsibility for the safety and well-being of his miniature friends. He is careful and thoughtful about his actions and decisions, realizing the impact they have on others.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding that their actions affect others, and learn to take responsibility for their choices and behaviors in their everyday interactions.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Problem Solving
Explanation: The characters face numerous challenges that require creative solutions, such as figuring out how to navigate in a world where they are miniature. Their inventive approaches demonstrate the importance of thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to approach problems creatively in their daily lives, experimenting with different solutions and thinking critically about overcoming obstacles.
Example Lesson: Respect for Cultural Diversity
Explanation: Throughout the story, Omri interacts with characters from various time periods and cultures, learning to respect and appreciate their different perspectives and experiences.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to embrace cultural diversity, respecting people from different backgrounds and learning from their unique experiences and views.
Example Lesson: The Consequences of Actions
Explanation: The narrative shows that actions have consequences, as seen when Omri’s decisions not only affect his life but also the lives of the miniature people. This teaches the importance of considering outcomes before acting.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children think ahead about the potential results of their actions, guiding them to make more thoughtful and considerate decisions in their interactions and activities.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Compassion
Explanation: Omri shows empathy by caring deeply for his miniature friends and striving to understand life from their perspective.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to be more empathetic and compassionate towards others, understanding and sharing the feelings and experiences of those around them.