The Spook's Apprentice - Play Edition (The Wardstone Chronicles, 1)
#1 of 17 in The Last Apprentice / Wardstone Chronicles Series
on Goodreads (125)
What’s inside...
Joseph Delaney's popular book, The Spook's Apprentice, tells the story of Thomas Ward, who is apprenticed to the local spook to help keep the county safe from supernatural forces known as the Dark. The book inspired the movie Seventh Son, featuring Jeff Bridges, Ben Barnes, and Julianne Moore. It has now been adapted for the stage by Joseph Delaney and his son Stephen. The script is suitable for both large and small casts and can be used in drama groups, English lessons, and school plays.
Character compass
Thomas Ward
Alice Deane
John Gregory
Bony Lizzie
Discussion points
What do you think makes a person brave? How did Tom show bravery in the story?
What would you do if you were the Spook's apprentice? What skills would you like to learn?
How do the characters in the book determine what is right and wrong? Do you agree with their choices?
If you had magical powers, how would you use them to help others?
What did you learn about trust and friendship from Tom’s interactions with the other characters?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings by affirming their responses with statements like 'That’s an interesting point!' or 'I never thought about it that way!'
Compare situations in the book with real-life scenarios to help your child make connections between the story and their own experiences.
Discuss the decisions made by the characters and ask your child what they would have done differently, fostering critical thinking.
Highlight the consequences of the actions taken by the characters to give your child a deeper understanding of cause and effect.
Use the supernatural elements of the story to spark imagination, asking your child how they would design their own magical world.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of fear
Explanation: The protagonist, Tom, consistently confronts and overcomes his fears as he trains to be a Spook.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own fears and understand that bravery isn’t about not feeling scared, but about overcoming those fears.
Example Lesson: The importance of responsibility
Explanation: Tom learns about the weight of responsibility as he deals with the consequences of his actions during his apprenticeship.
Real-World Application: This can teach children about accountability and the importance of thinking through decisions and recognizing their impact on others.
Example Lesson: Learning from failure
Explanation: Throughout his journey, Tom makes mistakes, but uses them as learning experiences that contribute to his growth.
Real-World Application: Children can understand that mistakes are not just setbacks, but opportunities for learning and improving oneself.
Example Lesson: Value of perseverance
Explanation: Tom’s continuous effort and determination show the value of sticking to a task even when it is challenging.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to persist in their endeavors, reinforcing that success often comes from continuous effort and resilience.
Example Lesson: Respecting differences
Explanation: Tom encounters various beings and people with different backgrounds and learns to work with them despite their differences.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to appreciate and respect diversity and to understand that everyone brings unique qualities to the table.