The Year of Falling in Love (The Sunnyvale Mysteries Book 2)
#2 in The Sunnyvale Mysteries Series
on Goodreads (3,060)
What’s inside...
In 'The Year of Falling in Love', the second installment of The Sunnyvale Mysteries, we follow the journey of Isabella Anders as she continues to unravel the mysteries surrounding her life and family. After the tumultuous events of the previous year, Isabella is determined to find happiness and a sense of normalcy. However, her quest is complicated by the emergence of new clues related to her past, and the arrival of a mysterious stranger who seems to hold the key to her unanswered questions. As Isabella delves deeper into the secrets of Sunnyvale, she must navigate the challenges of love, friendship, and trust, all while facing the dangers that lurk in the shadows. This year will test her courage and resolve, as she must decide how much she's willing to risk for the chance to fall in love and uncover the truth.
Character compass
Isabella Anders
Kai
Discussion points
How do you think the characters felt when they faced challenges? Can you relate to any of their feelings?
What do you think friendship means based on the relationships in the book?
If you were in the character’s shoes, how would you have handled the mysteries?
What lessons did the characters learn by the end of the book? How do you think these lessons could apply to your own life?
Do you think the characters changed from the beginning to the end of the story? In what ways?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book by asking them to relate the story to their own experiences.
Discuss the importance of friendship and teamwork as portrayed in the book and how it can be applied in real life scenarios.
Use the mystery elements in the book to foster problem-solving skills by pausing at key moments and asking what they would do next.
Highlight the growth of characters throughout the book to help your child understand the concept of personal development.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of resilience
Explanation: In 'The Year of Falling in Love', the protagonist faces numerous challenges but demonstrates resilience by overcoming them. This is portrayed through her determination to solve mysteries despite obstacles.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to persist through difficulties in their daily activities, whether in school or during social interactions, mirroring the resilience shown by the protagonist.
Example Lesson: Importance of friendship
Explanation: Throughout the book, the protagonist relies on the support and advice of friends to navigate her troubles. The story emphasizes how valuable good friendships can be in overcoming life’s hurdles.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to foster strong, supportive friendships in their own lives, understanding that friends can be pillars of support during challenging times.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking
Explanation: The book features a series of mysteries that the protagonist must solve. It highlights her use of critical thinking and logic to come to conclusions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply critical thinking skills to solve problems they encounter in schoolwork or in interpersonal relationships, inspired by the protagonist’s methods.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: As the protagonist interacts with other characters who are also dealing with their own issues, the story showcases the importance of empathy.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to practice understanding and empathy towards their peers and family members, appreciating that everyone has their own struggles.
Example Lesson: Personal growth and self-discovery
Explanation: The main character’s journey throughout the book also focuses on her personal growth and self-discovery as she faces life’s complexities.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to explore their own strengths and weaknesses, and to embrace the journey of personal development as they grow.