This Is Me from Now On
mix Series
on Goodreads (331)
What’s inside...
In This Is Me From Now On, Evie’s new friend Francesca believes that life is dull unless you actively pursue what you want and speak your mind. Evie is unsure whether she is horrified or fascinated by the things Francesca persuades her to do. However, through these experiences, she gains a deeper understanding of friendship. The book highlights the idea that sometimes your life needs a little jolt to truly understand the value of friendships.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-13
Length
272 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Evie
Francesca
Discussion points
How do the characters in the book deal with changes and challenges? What can we learn from them?
What does friendship mean to the characters in this story? How do they support each other?
How do you think you would handle a situation similar to what Franny faced?
What are some ways the characters show their unique personalities? Which character do you relate to the most and why?
What do you think the title 'This Is Me from Now On' says about the message of the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use open-ended questions that allow your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story’s events and characters.
Relate discussions to your child’s own experiences to make connections between the book and their life.
Encourage your child to think about how they would act in similar situations as the characters, fostering empathy and decision-making skills.
Highlight and discuss the growth of the characters over the book, asking your child how they think the characters have changed from the beginning to the end.
Praise your child’s responses and insights, and share your own thoughts and interpretations to model engaged reading and critical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing change and growth
Explanation: In 'This Is Me from Now On', the protagonist Evie learns to adapt to new situations when her unpredictable cousin Francesca comes to town. This challenges Evie's usual routines and pushes her to explore new aspects of her personality and capabilities.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to see changes in their lives as opportunities for personal growth and to embrace new experiences that may initially seem challenging or uncomfortable.
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship
Explanation: Throughout the story, Evie and Francesca develop a strong, supportive friendship, demonstrating the value of having someone to share experiences and grow with.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to build and maintain meaningful friendships, offering mutual support and companionship through various life experiences.
Example Lesson: Building self-confidence
Explanation: Evie’s journey in the book shows her overcoming self-doubt and taking brave steps, which cultivates her self-confidence.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by learning to trust in their abilities and take on new challenges, understanding that self-confidence can be developed through actions and positive thinking.
Example Lesson: Respecting individual differences
Explanation: The contrast between Evie’s and Francesca’s personalities highlights the beauty of individual differences and the importance of accepting others as they are.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to appreciate and respect the diverse traits and qualities of people around them, fostering an inclusive and supportive community.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: As Evie navigates the complexities of new friendships and school dynamics, she makes mistakes but uses them as learning opportunities, which contributes to her personal growth.
Real-World Application: Children can learn that mistakes are a normal part of life and can be valuable lessons that contribute to their growth and improvement.