When We Were Infinite
on Goodreads (1,487)
What’s inside...
All Beth wants is for her tight-knit circle of friends to stay together, but when she witnesses a private act of violence in Jason's home, the group is shaken. Beth and her friends make a pact to protect Jason, but when his life-altering choice tests their loyalty, Beth must decide how far she's willing to go for him and how much of herself she's willing to give up. This powerful, achingly romantic drama from Kelly Loy Gilbert explores the secrets we keep from each other and from ourselves.
Age
11-12
Length
368 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Beth
Grace
Sunny
Brandon
Jason
Discussion points
What do you think Beth and her friends learned about friendship throughout the story?
How did the characters' experiences with family impact their decisions and relationships?
What are some challenges the characters faced, and how did they overcome them?
How do you think trust and understanding are important in friendships, based on the story?
What would you have done differently if you were in Beth's shoes?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book, relating it to their own experiences with friends and family.
Discuss the significance of empathy and support among friends, as depicted in the book, and relate it to real-life scenarios.
Prompt your child to think critically about the characters' decisions and the consequences they led to.
Invite your child to consider alternative solutions to the challenges faced by the characters, fostering problem-solving skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of friendship and loyalty
Explanation: The book portrays deep bonds among a group of friends who support each other through life's challenges, showing the strength and safety that true friendships can provide.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of building and maintaining strong, supportive relationships, and how such connections can provide emotional support during tough times.
Example Lesson: Dealing with change and uncertainty
Explanation: Characters in the book navigate through various changes in their lives, learning to adapt and grow. This helps in understanding that change is a natural part of life.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children embrace change in their environment, such as moving to a new place or changing schools, by seeing it as a growth opportunity instead of a setback.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The protagonist and their friends overcome significant emotional and personal challenges, exemplifying how resilience can lead to personal growth and stronger relationships.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to persevere through their own difficulties, whether they're academic challenges or personal hurdles, using the characters as models of resilience.
Example Lesson: Understanding and expressing emotions
Explanation: The book highlights the characters' journeys towards emotional maturity, including dealing with complex feelings and conflicts.
Real-World Application: This can guide children in identifying, expressing, and managing their emotions effectively, fostering better emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Empathy and compassion
Explanation: Through the interactions of its characters, the story teaches the importance of empathy by showing how understanding others' feelings and perspectives can lead to kinder and more meaningful interactions.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to consider the feelings of others in their actions, helping them build more compassionate relationships with family and peers.