The Summer of Discovery
on Goodreads (1,511)
What’s inside...
From the award-winning author of The First Rule of Punk, a dazzling novel about a young girl who collects the missing pieces of her origin story from the family of legendary luchadores she’s never met. Twelve-year-old Adela “Addie” Ramirez has a big decision to make when her stepfather proposes adoption. Addie loves Alex, the only father figure she’s ever known, but with a new half brother due in a few months and a big school theater performance on her mind, everything suddenly feels like it’s moving too fast. She has a million questions, and the first is about the young man in the photo she found hidden away in her mother’s things. Addie’s sleuthing takes her to a New Mexico ranch, and her world expands to include the legendary Bravos: Rosie and Pancho, her paternal grandparents and former professional wrestlers; Eva and Maggie, her older identical twin cousins who love to spar in and out of the ring; Uncle Mateo, whose lucha couture and advice are unmatched; and Manny, her biological father, who’s in the midst of a career comeback. As luchadores, the Bravos’s legacy is strong. But being part of a family is so much harder—it’s about showing up, taking off your mask, and working through challenges together.
Discussion points
What was your favorite part of the summer adventure in the book, and why?
How did the characters' friendships change from the beginning to the end of the story?
If you were part of the story, what would you have done differently during the summer?
What did the main character learn by the end of the summer?
How do you think facing challenges helped the characters grow?
Tip: Role play these questions
Share your own favorite summer memories and ask your child to relate events from the book to your stories.
Discuss the characters' emotions and decisions throughout their adventures to help foster empathy and decision-making skills.
Encourage your child to draw or write about their own dream summer adventure after reading the book together.
Ask what lessons they can apply from the book to their own life, focusing on friendship, courage, and curiosity.
Highlight the importance of trying new things and making new friends, just like the characters in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of curiosity and exploration
Explanation: The story follows a group of children as they embark on a summer filled with adventures that ignite their curiosity about the natural world.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to explore their own environments, ask questions, and learn about the world around them through hands-on experiences.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship and teamwork
Explanation: Throughout their adventures, the characters learn to work together, solve problems, and support each other, showing the strength of cooperation.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply these principles at school or in play by collaborating with peers and understanding different perspectives.
Example Lesson: Resilience in facing challenges
Explanation: The characters encounter various obstacles during their summer explorations but learn to overcome them through determination and creativity.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that facing challenges is a part of life and that persistence is key to overcoming them.
Example Lesson: Appreciation for nature
Explanation: The book vividly describes the natural settings and emphasizes the beauty of the outdoors, which plays a crucial role in the characters' adventures.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to spend more time outdoors, participating in activities that foster a relationship with nature and an understanding of environmental stewardship.