The Trouble with Good Ideas
on Goodreads (102)
What’s inside...
From author Amanda Panitch comes 'The Trouble with Good Ideas', a middle-grade novel featuring 12-year-old Leah Nevins, who is resistant to change, especially when it involves sending her great-grandpa Zaide to an assisted living facility. In an attempt to keep Zaide at home, Leah creates a golem, a magical creature from Jewish mythology, to protect him. However, she soon faces unexpected challenges when the golem turns against its creator.
Age
8-12
Length
304 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Leah Nevins
Grandpa
Golem
Discussion points
What do you think motivated Leah to create the golem, and how would you feel if you were in her situation?
How do friendship and teamwork play a role in solving the problems Leah faced? Can you think of a time when your friends helped you?
How do the characters in the story show responsibility for their actions? Can you give examples?
What would you have done differently if you were Leah? Why?
What lessons did you learn from the story that you can apply in your own life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use open-ended questions that encourage your child to think deeply about the story and relate it to their own experiences.
Create a comfortable and distraction-free environment to make the discussion more engaging and meaningful.
Show genuine interest in your child’s opinions and thoughts about the book to foster an open dialogue.
Encourage your child to think about what they would have done differently in the characters’ shoes to develop empathy and decision-making skills.
Discuss any similar situations they might have faced and how the strategies from the book could be applied.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving and creativity
Explanation: In 'The Trouble with Good Ideas', the protagonist utilizes her creativity and problem-solving skills to deal with magical consequences of her intentions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these skills in real life by thinking creatively to solve conflicts or come up with innovative solutions for daily challenges.
Example Lesson: Understanding the impact of actions
Explanation: The story highlights how even well-intentioned actions can have unforeseen negative outcomes, teaching the importance of considering the consequences.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think ahead about the potential effects of their actions on others and themselves, promoting responsibility.
Example Lesson: Coping with loss and change
Explanation: The main character in the book deals with loss and adjusts to changes in her life, providing a narrative on managing personal emotions and situations.
Real-World Application: Children learn to accept and adapt to changes in their lives, such as moving to a new school or coping with the loss of a pet.
Example Lesson: The value of perseverance
Explanation: Despite facing challenges, the protagonist shows persistence in her endeavors, conveying the importance of not giving up easily.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to keep trying and working hard despite difficulties, fostering a resilient attitude.