Turn the Tide
What’s inside...
Twelve-year-old Mimi Laskaris is inspired by the Wijsen sisters of Bali to turn her focus from classical piano to forming a grassroots, kid-led movement to ban plastic bags in her new island home in Florida. Written in accessible verse, this timely story of environmental activism includes extensive back matter for aspiring activists and features a foreword by Melati Wijsen, cofounder of Bye, Bye Plastic Bags. As Mimi adjusts to a new life in Florida after her family's Greek restaurant faces financial difficulties, she is struck by the plastic pollution on the beaches. After learning about the Wijsen sisters' success in banning plastic bags in Bali through a school presentation, Mimi is motivated to initiate similar change in her new community. Throughout the story, Mimi navigates friendship, self-discovery, and the challenges of balancing activism with her schoolwork and passion for piano.
Age
8-12
Length
368 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the main character felt when they faced challenges? Can you relate to those feelings in any way?
What would you have done differently if you were in the main character’s position?
How did the characters change from the beginning to the end of the story?
What did the ocean symbolize in the story? What does it mean to you?
Can you think of a time when you had to work with others to solve a problem, like the characters in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story’s events and characters. Use pauses after each question to give them time to think and respond. Validate their feelings and viewpoints to make them feel heard. Connect the story to your child’s experiences to make the discussion more relatable and meaningful. Highlight the moral or lesson from the book to reinforce positive values and behaviors.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Compassion
Explanation: In 'Turn the Tide', characters face diverse challenges which teaches children to understand and share the feelings of others.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these lessons in interacting kindly with peers who may be different from them, fostering a supportive community.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The protagonist takes on tasks that lead to learning experiences about responsibility and the importance of taking action.
Real-World Application: Kids learn that their actions have consequences and begin to take responsibility in their daily routines, such as doing homework or chores.
Example Lesson: Courage to make right choices
Explanation: Characters in the book often face dilemmas where they must choose between easy and right, teaching the value of integrity.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to stand up for what is right, even when it may be difficult, in situations like bullying in school.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters must work together to overcome obstacles, highlighting the importance of cooperation.
Real-World Application: This lesson will help children understand the value of working with others to achieve common goals during group activities or team sports.
Example Lesson: Resilience and Adaptability
Explanation: As characters encounter setbacks, they learn to adapt and persevere, which is a crucial lesson.
Real-World Application: Teaching children to bounce back from their own setbacks, whether they are academic challenges or personal disappointments.