Thumb on a Diamond
#2 in UFO Series
illustrations by
on Goodreads (168)
What’s inside...
Leon, known as Thumb, and his friend Susan live in the quiet fishing village of New Auckland and decide to form a baseball team, the New Auckland Beavers, to compete in the provincial championships in Vancouver despite their inexperience. Meanwhile, 'UFO2' is a collection of humorous science fiction and fantasy short stories that includes tales of interstellar cruises, dragon-taunting, time travel mishaps, cubicle farm wizardry, and alien encounters, providing a diverse array of adventures.
Discussion points
How did the character's feelings change throughout the story, and what caused those changes?
What would you do if you found a diamond like the character did?
Why do you think honesty was important in this story?
Can you think of a time when you faced a similar challenge? How did you handle it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use your child's answers as a springboard to discuss broader life lessons about honesty and integrity.
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences, fostering deeper personal connections with the themes.
Highlight passages where the character faces moral dilemmas to spark a discussion about making tough choices.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings based on different choices the characters might have made to encourage creative thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in Adversity
Explanation: The story vividly portrays the protagonist's challenges and their determined efforts to overcome them, illustrating the power of resilience.
Real-World Application: Children learn to persevere through their own struggles, whether in school or in social settings, reinforcing the importance of not giving up despite difficulties.
Example Lesson: Value of Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters collaborate to solve problems, highlighting the significance of working together.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of cooperating with others, whether in group projects, sports, or family activities, fostering a sense of community and shared goals.
Example Lesson: Honesty and Integrity
Explanation: Key moments in the narrative center around making ethical choices, underscoring honesty as the best policy.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to practice honesty in their daily interactions and understand the long-term benefits of maintaining integrity.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Characters in the story often express empathy and strive to understand others’ perspectives, which helps resolve conflicts.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children develop empathy towards their peers, enhancing their emotional intelligence and improving peer relationships.
Example Lesson: Importance of Setting Goals
Explanation: The main character sets clear goals and works diligently towards achieving them, demonstrating the impact of goal-setting.
Real-World Application: Children learn to set their own goals and the steps necessary to achieve them, be it in academics, hobbies, or personal development, teaching them the value of ambition and planning.