When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears (The Goblin Wars)
#3 of 3 in The Goblin Wars Series
on Goodreads (424)
What’s inside...
Locked doors are opening, and magical creatures are tumbling through portals from Mag Mell, the world-between-worlds, into the streets of Chicago. Meanwhile, the romance between seventeen-year-old Teagan, who is part goblin, and the alluring bad boy Finn Mac Cumhaill is heating up, which is awkward, considering he is bound by a family curse to fight goblins his entire life. Celtic mythology, adventure, and paranormal romance fuse in the electrifying finale of the critically acclaimed Goblin Wars trilogy.
Character compass
Teagan Wylltson
Lucy Delaney
Aiden Wylltson
Finn Mac Cumhail
Fear Doirich
Discussion points
How do the characters' actions influence the world around them?
What do you think about the decisions the characters made in the story? Would you have made the same choices?
How does the struggle between the different groups in the story reflect real-world conflicts? Can you think of any examples?
What did you learn about courage and friendship from the story?
How do you think the story would change if it were set in today's world?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story's events and characters. Active listening can make them feel valued and enhance their communication skills.
Relate the themes of the book to your child’s everyday experiences. This can help them see the relevance of the story to real-world scenarios.
Discuss the motives behind characters' decisions to help build empathy and understanding in your child.
Use examples from the book to teach problem-solving skills by asking how different outcomes could have been achieved if characters made alternative choices.
After reading, encourage your child to draw a scene from the book or write a short continuation of the story. This helps deepen their understanding and appreciation of the text.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in adversity
Explanation: The characters in 'When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears' frequently face daunting challenges but demonstrate bravery and resilience.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of facing their fears and overcoming obstacles, applicable in situations like trying new activities or standing up for themselves.
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters must work together to overcome the goblin wars, highlighting how collaboration can lead to success.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to value cooperative play and group work in school projects, enhancing social and cooperative skills.
Example Lesson: Justice and fairness
Explanation: The narrative addresses themes of justice as characters strive to correct wrongs in their world, showing the positive outcomes of just actions.
Real-World Application: Children learn to practice fairness in their interactions and understand the impact of their actions on others, promoting empathy and ethical behavior.
Example Lesson: Perseverance pays off
Explanation: Characters persist through their difficulties and their perseverance leads to positive changes, embodying the saying 'never give up'.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to keep striving towards their goals, whether in their academic endeavors, sports, or personal projects.
Example Lesson: Understanding and accepting differences
Explanation: The story explores interactions between different fantastical creatures, teaching lessons about acceptance and the strength found in diversity.
Real-World Application: This can be applied in a child’s life by promoting inclusivity and respect for diverse cultures and perspectives among their peers.