The Silent Gavel
on Goodreads (2,392)
What’s inside...
A witty and thought-provoking YA love story set during the COVID-19 quarantine, written by two NYT bestselling authors, with shades of Five Feet Apart and Anna and the French Kiss. Maxine and Jonah bump into each other in the canned goods aisle of the grocery store just as the state of California is going into lockdown, when everything changes completely. Could there be a worse time to meet? Max's part-time job at a supermarket is about to transform into a hellish gauntlet. Jonah's preexisting anxiety is about to become an epic daily struggle. As Max, Jonah, and their friends live together but apart through hijinks, humanity, and heartbreak, Hello (From Here) cuts across urgent matters much bigger than a teenage crush. Differences of class, privilege, mental health, and sacrifice are thrown into stark relief by the profound and personal stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic. As thoughtful, probing, and informed as it is buoyant, romantic, and funny, Hello (From Here) looks at the first two months of the quarantine and adds falling hopelessly in love to the mess.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-17
Length
352 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the characters made the choices they did?
How would you feel if you were in the same situation as the main character?
What do you think the main message or lesson of the story is?
Do you think the story would change if it happened in our town?
What would you do differently if you were the main character?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use empathetic listening to really understand your child's perspective.
Relate the characters' experiences to real-life scenarios your child might face to make the story more relatable.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings to enhance creative thinking.
Ask your child to draw a scene from the book, helping the visual connection with the story’s themes.
Discuss personal values and how they align or differ from the characters' actions in the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding justice and fairness
Explanation: The Silent Gavel takes readers into a courtroom setting where characters grapple with right and wrong, teaching children about the principles of justice and fairness through the narrative.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these principles in their everyday interactions at school or at home, making fair decisions and understanding the importance of justice in communal settings.
Example Lesson: Importance of truth
Explanation: As the protagonist seeks the truth in the storyline, children learn the value of honesty and the consequences of deceit.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to be truthful in their dealings with friends and family, fostering an atmosphere of trust and openness in their personal relationships.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding different perspectives
Explanation: The book portrays various characters from different backgrounds, providing a platform to teach children about empathy and the importance of considering multiple viewpoints.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to empathize with their peers' feelings and viewpoints, enhancing their social interactions and helping them to build stronger, more understanding relationships.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and accountability
Explanation: Characters in The Silent Gavel face consequences for their actions, which highlights the themes of responsibility and accountability.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the importance of taking responsibility for their actions and being accountable for their choices both at home and in school.