The Witness
Point horror Series
on Goodreads (47)
What’s inside...
In the near future in the Scottish Highlands, John witnesses a violent uprising following the disastrous nationalization of the land. From the shelter of the pine trees, he sees men destroy homes and fire shots. After the chaos, he finds a small boy among the ruins, too scared to reveal his name. Now, as the sole witness and survivor, John and the boy are on the run, with every decision being a matter of life or death.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
11-12
Length
374 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made the main character act the way they did? Can you relate to their feelings?
How did the setting influence the story? Could the story have taken place somewhere else?
What choices would you have made if you were in the main character's position?
How do you think the story would have changed if it was told from another character's perspective?
What do you think is the main message of the story, and why is it important?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in the shoes of the characters to foster emotional understanding and empathy.
Discuss the setting of the story and how it impacts the narrative. This helps develop analytical thinking about the importance of context.
Prompt your child to consider alternative story outcomes based on different choices to enhance their problem-solving skills.
Invite your child to imagine different viewpoints by considering how other characters might narrate the story. This can broaden their perspective.
Focus discussions on the moral or lesson in the story, connecting it to real-life situations to make it more relatable and meaningful.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of truth
Explanation: In 'The Witness', the protagonist learns the hard way that being truthful is always the best policy. As the story unfolds, truth becomes a pivotal theme that affects the outcome of the narrative.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding the value of honesty in their interactions and the positive impact it has on relationships and trustworthiness.
Example Lesson: Courage to face difficult situations
Explanation: The main character shows immense bravery when confronted with challenging circumstances, teaching readers about the strength it takes to face fears.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be brave in their own lives, whether it's speaking up about something wrong or tackling a task they find daunting.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding others
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters experience a range of emotions that are portrayed with depth, guiding readers to understand and empathize with different perspectives.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to appreciate and respect the feelings and views of others around them, fostering a more empathetic approach in their social interactions.
Example Lesson: The consequences of actions
Explanation: The plot conveys that every action taken by the characters leads to a consequence, some unintended, thereby highlighting the cause and effect relationship.
Real-World Application: Children are taught to think before they act, understanding that their actions will lead to reactions and potentially impact not just themselves but others as well.
Example Lesson: Resilience in adversity
Explanation: Despite numerous setbacks, the protagonist's journey illustrates the power of resilience and the ability to recover from adversities.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children develop grit and perseverance, qualities that are essential in overcoming the challenges they will face in life.