This Must Be Love
on Goodreads (317)
What’s inside...
Two good friends experience strange occurrences during a high school production of 'Romeo and Juliet,' reminiscent of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.' As they navigate the complexities of love and friendship, they encounter magical moments and misunderstandings. With a cast of quirky characters including a mysterious new guy and a clueless love interest, the stage is set for mayhem, magic, and ultimately, love. As the play unfolds, one friend dreams of playing Juliet despite her limited acting experience, while the other searches for her soulmate among the limited Romeo selection at Athenwood High. Tensions rise and secrets unfold as love blossoms in unexpected ways.
Age
12-13
Length
256 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Hermia
Dmitri
Lysander
Helena
Discussion points
What do you think made the characters in the story feel loved and cared for?
How did the characters' actions show love to others?
Can you think of a time when you felt similar emotions to any of the characters in the book?
What is one thing you would do for someone you love, inspired by the book?
How can we show love and kindness in our everyday actions?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story. Listen actively without interrupting, showing them that their views are valued.
Relate the themes of love and kindness from the book to personal experiences. Share your own story of showing love to others and ask your child to do the same.
Discuss the consequences of the characters' actions. Explore how those actions impacted others in the story and what lessons can be learned.
Use examples from the book to teach empathy. Ask your child how they think the characters felt during key events and why.
Finish your discussion with a creative activity, like drawing scenes of kindness from the book, to reinforce the positive messages learned.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding and expressing emotions
Explanation: The story illustrates the complexities of emotions through the characters' personal journeys. It shows how characters navigate their feelings and relationships.
Real-World Application: Children learn to identify and articulate their emotions, helping them manage their feelings and improve their communication with others.
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship
Explanation: Friendship is a central theme in the book, highlighting how friends support and care for each other during challenging times.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to foster meaningful friendships and understand the value of being a supportive friend in real life.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: Characters in the book face various challenges but learn to overcome them through perseverance and determination.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to remain resilient when faced with difficulties, teaching them perseverance and problem-solving skills that are applicable in everyday scenarios.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding others
Explanation: The narrative encourages understanding diverse perspectives and showing empathy towards others' feelings and situations.
Real-World Application: This helps children develop empathy, enabling them to better understand and connect with people around them.