Who Killed Kit Marlowe? (History Mysteries)
History'S A Mystery Series
What’s inside...
Deary's narrative makes the story of Kit Marlowe exciting and memorable, while the comprehensive & amusing fact files provide a wealth of background detail. By the end of the book, children are encouraged to make up their own mind about what happened.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think understanding history is important when solving mysteries like the one in 'Who Killed Kit Marlowe?'?
How do the characters in the book help us learn about the past?
What clues did you find most interesting or surprising?
How did the mystery change your view about historical figures?
What would you have done differently if you were one of the characters in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think critically about the evidence presented in the book. Ask them to imagine themselves as detectives, piecing together historical clues. Discuss the importance of different perspectives in understanding history. Relate the events and characters in the book to current events or personal experiences to make the discussion more relevant. Praise their insights and curiosity, fostering a love for history and mystery solving.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and problem solving
Explanation: The mystery surrounding Kit Marlowe's death encourages readers to analyze evidence and consider different perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these skills to solve problems at school or in social situations, fostering a more analytical approach to challenges.
Example Lesson: Historical awareness
Explanation: The book embeds factual information about Elizabethan England within its narrative, providing context to the historical figure of Kit Marlowe.
Real-World Application: This can spark interest in history, encouraging children to explore and understand the significance of events and figures from the past in shaping the present.
Example Lesson: Understanding of justice and ethics
Explanation: As the characters investigate Kit Marlowe's mysterious death, themes of justice and ethics are explored.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of fairness and moral reasoning and how these principles are applied in real life to make ethical decisions.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: The characters must collaborate to solve the mystery, highlighting the effectiveness of working together.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of cooperation and using collective strengths to achieve a common goal in group projects or family tasks.
Example Lesson: Development of empathy
Explanation: Engaging with characters from different backgrounds and motives helps readers understand diverse perspectives.
Real-World Application: This assists children in developing empathy, crucial for interacting respectfully and compassionately with others around them.