Weird Kid
on Goodreads (871)
What’s inside...
Jake Wind is trying to stay under the radar due to his uncontrollable shapeshifting abilities and mysterious origins as a ball of goo found by his parents. He strives to lead a normal life and attend middle school, avoiding the risks of being homeschooled, kidnapped, or experimented on. His efforts seem successful when he makes it through his first day of school without incident and even makes a new friend. However, when sinkholes filled with extraterrestrial substance similar to Jake begin appearing and causing odd behavior among townspeople including his family, Jake must learn to harness his powers to protect his town.
Age
8-12
Length
202 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Jake Wind
Agnes Oakes
Discussion points
What do you think makes a kid 'weird' and is being weird always a bad thing?
How did the main character handle feeling different from others? Can you relate to their experiences?
Why do you think friendships are important in the story? How do they change the main character's journey?
What lesson did you learn from the book about accepting yourself and others?
If you could give advice to the main character, what would you say?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about being unique or different, relating it to the main character’s experiences.
Discuss the importance of empathy by asking how they would feel in the main character's situation.
Highlight the value of friendships and ask your child to share stories of their friendships and how they support each other.
Use examples from the book to discuss overcoming challenges and the importance of self-acceptance with your child.
After discussing each question, relate it back to your child’s personal experiences or hypothetical scenarios to deepen understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing uniqueness
Explanation: In 'Weird Kid', the protagonist, who is an alien, struggles with fitting in at school, which is a relatable issue for many children. The story emphasizes the importance of embracing one's uniqueness and not conforming for the sake of fitting in.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by appreciating their own unique qualities and those of others, thereby building self-esteem and encouraging inclusivity among their peers.
Example Lesson: Adapting to change
Explanation: As the protagonist adjusts to life on Earth, 'Weird Kid' reflects the challenges and opportunities presented by new environments or changes. This helps in teaching children the value of adaptability.
Real-World Application: This lesson can guide children through various transitions such as moving to a new place, changing schools, or dealing with family changes, showing them that adaptability is key to overcoming new challenges.
Example Lesson: Building friendships
Explanation: The alien protagonist learns the importance of friendship despite differences, which is central to the plot of 'Weird Kid'. This highlights the importance of supportive relationships for personal growth.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to forge and nurture friendships despite outward differences, understanding that true friendship is based on mutual respect and shared experiences, not appearances or backgrounds.
Example Lesson: Problem solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, the protagonist encounters various challenges that require creative thinking and problem-solving skills to navigate.
Real-World Application: This lesson instills the importance of critical thinking and problem-solving in children’s everyday life, encouraging them to approach obstacles with a solution-oriented mindset.
Example Lesson: Acceptance and empathy
Explanation: As characters in the book learn more about the protagonist's unique background, they develop a deeper understanding and empathy towards him, promoting themes of acceptance.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to be accepting and empathetic towards individuals from different cultures, backgrounds, or with different abilities, fostering a more inclusive community.