Wacky Jacks (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))
#2 of 2 in A Houdini Club Magic Mystery. Series
on Goodreads (11)
What’s inside...
Janet and her cousin Herman 'Houdini' Foster investigate the mystery of their pet gerbil's disappearance from their classroom. Illustrated in black-and-white, the super-sleuths delve into the mystery at school, where cards are not the only missing items. Has Houdini's ability in making things vanish extended to the classroom pet? The book also includes instructions for the 'Wacky Jacks' card trick.
Discussion points
What do you think about the characters and their actions in 'Wacky Jacks'? How would you have acted in their situations?
What were your favorite parts of the story and why?
How do you think the challenges in the book helped the characters grow?
Did you learn any lessons from 'Wacky Jacks' that you can apply in your own life?
If you could change one part of the story, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and emotions about the story. Validate their feelings and provide insights when necessary. Use examples from the book to relate to real-life scenarios, helping them connect the dots between fiction and reality. Engage in creative activities like drawing or acting out favorite scenes to deepen their understanding and enjoyment of the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: In 'Wacky Jacks,' the characters must work together to solve the riddles and advance in their adventure, demonstrating the power of collaboration.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in group activities at school or in sports, learning to cooperate and value each other’s input to achieve a common goal.
Example Lesson: Creative problem solving
Explanation: The book presents various challenges that the characters must think creatively to overcome, encouraging out-of-the-box thinking.
Real-World Application: Kids can use creative solutions when they encounter obstacles in their own lives, whether in academic tasks or personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of setbacks
Explanation: As the characters in 'Wacky Jacks' encounter setbacks, they learn to persevere and try new strategies, embodying resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to not give up easily when faced with difficulties, be it in learning new skills or dealing with everyday problems.
Example Lesson: The value of curiosity
Explanation: The story's adventure is driven by the characters' curiosity and desire to explore, highlighting curiosity as a learning tool.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to ask questions and explore subjects of interest in and out of school, cultivating a lifelong love for learning.
Example Lesson: Enjoyment of reading
Explanation: The engaging and humorous narrative of 'Wacky Jacks' makes reading enjoyable, promoting a positive attitude towards reading.
Real-World Application: This can help foster a habit of regular reading, enhancing literacy skills and opening doors to imaginative worlds.