The Wrong Sword
#1 of 203 in OverDrive Read Series
on Goodreads (66)
What’s inside...
Ever since he arrived in Paris, Henry the Rat has made a good living selling 'magic' swords to gullible knights. But his fortunes change when he sells a sword to Geoffrey Plantagenet, brother to King Richard. Geoffrey forces Henry on a quest for Excalibur, a sword Henry believes is mythical. To Henry's surprise, he finds Excalibur, which is not just a legendary sword but also one that communicates with its owner. To protect Excalibur and the world from Geoffrey, Henry must masquerade as a knight, crash a royal wedding, rescue a princess, break a siege, penetrate the secrets of the Perilous Brotherhood, and find Excalibur's rightful bearer, all while contending with the sword's snobbish, aristocratic personality. The year is 1190, and the place is Paris. Life is fleeting for nobles and commoners alike, but an ex-monk named Henry the Rat thinks he has it all figured out by selling 'magic' swords. However, his life turns upside down when he unwittingly sells a sword to Geoffrey Plantagenet leading to a quest to find Excalibur which turns out to be real and has a snobbish personality of its own.
Discussion points
What do you think Henry learned about honesty throughout his adventure?
How do you think the characters felt when they discovered the sword was wrong?
Why is teamwork important, and how did it help the characters in the story?
Can you think of a time when you had to correct a mistake, like Henry did?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, express genuine interest in your child’s viewpoints to encourage open sharing.
Connect the theme of honesty in the book to real-life scenarios your child might encounter, making the conversation relevant to their world.
Highlight the importance of teamwork depicted in the book and relate it to cooperative activities your child is involved in, like sports or group projects at school.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings to the book, fostering creativity and deeper thinking about the story’s outcomes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Honesty is the best policy
Explanation: The protagonist, Henry, learns that telling the truth is important even when it's difficult. He faces various challenges but learns that honesty can prevent larger disasters.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being honest in their daily interactions, which helps in building trust and credibility with family and friends.
Example Lesson: Courage to face challenges
Explanation: Throughout the book, Henry confronts daunting tasks and adversaries, demonstrating that bravery is crucial to overcoming obstacles.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to tackle new challenges, such as trying out for a sports team or standing up for what they believe in their community.
Example Lesson: Importance of responsibility
Explanation: Henry is tasked with returning the 'wrong' sword, which instills in him a sense of duty and accountability for his actions and decisions.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to take responsibility for their actions, such as completing homework on time or caring for a pet.
Example Lesson: Value of perseverance
Explanation: Henry faces repeated setbacks on his quest but learns that persistence ultimately leads to success.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of perseverance in their pursuits, be it academic goals or personal projects, understanding that success often comes from continuous effort.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding others
Explanation: Throughout his journey, Henry meets various characters, learning to understand their viewpoints and struggles, which fosters empathy.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children appreciate the diverse perspectives and backgrounds of people around them, promoting inclusivity and understanding in social settings.