This Means War!
N/A Series
What’s inside...
October 1962. Juliet Klostermeyer's world is turning upside down amidst the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Her friendship dynamics are changing as her best friend Lowell distances himself. The arrival of fearless Patsy brings new energy as she instigates a gender war of challenges with the neighborhood boys. As tensions rise and challenges become dangerous, Juliet must decide her values and what she's willing to fight for. This coming-of-age novel by Ellen Wittlinger also delves into themes of spiritual warfare, providing insights on deliverance, identifying demonic strongholds, and offering guidance on spiritual freedom.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-18
Length
144 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think are the main reasons the characters in the story start to disagree?
How do the characters try to solve their problem? What would you have done differently?
What does this story teach us about handling conflicts with friends?
How did the characters' feelings change throughout the story?
Can you think of a time you had a disagreement with a friend? How did you resolve it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child to think about a time they had a disagreement with a friend and predict how the characters might handle a similar situation.
While reading, pause at key conflict points and ask your child to guess what might happen next or how they would handle the situation.
After reading, encourage your child to draw or write about an alternative ending to the story based on a different way of resolving the conflict.
Discuss the outcomes of the characters' actions and relate them to real-life consequences of similar actions to emphasize learning from the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: In 'This Means War!' children are depicted working together to resolve conflicts and achieve common goals, emphasizing the value of collaboration.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in group activities at school or in sports, learning how to cooperate and value each other’s contributions.
Example Lesson: Understanding different perspectives
Explanation: The narrative encourages readers to see situations from various points of view, which is crucial in resolving conflicts and fostering empathy.
Real-World Application: This can help children in their interactions with peers, teaching them to consider others' feelings and viewpoints before making judgements.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: Characters in the book face numerous challenges but learn to overcome them with determination. This highlights the importance of resilience.
Real-World Application: Kids can mirror this behavior in real life by not giving up easily in academics, sports, or personal challenges, understanding that persistence is key to success.
Example Lesson: The power of communication
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters learn that many issues can be solved through effective communication, rather than conflict.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to express their feelings and thoughts clearly and peacefully in their daily interactions, leading to better relationships and fewer misunderstandings.
Example Lesson: The role of creativity in problem-solving
Explanation: The book showcases characters using creative solutions to tackle problems, underscoring the value of thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be inventive in their approach to obstacles they encounter at school or home, promoting creative thinking as a valuable skill.