Winter Turning
#7 of 15 in The Wings of Fire Series
on Goodreads (28,316)
What’s inside...
Winter Turning is the seventh book in the Wings of Fire series. The story follows Winter, a dragonet from the IceWing tribe, as he embarks on a journey to find his missing sister, Icicle. Along the way, he faces numerous challenges and learns important lessons about friendship, loyalty, and bravery. Winter has been a disappointment to his royal IceWing family his whole life. When his sister, Icicle, runs away from Jade Mountain Academy, fleeing terrible crimes and possibly planning to commit more, Winter knows that they both need a second chance to make things right -- if only he can find her. Winter’s new clawmates, Moon, Qibli, and Kinkajou, won’t let him make this dangerous journey alone. They don’t seem to understand that IceWings, the most superior of all dragon tribes, can fix their own problems. When their search leads the dragonets straight into Queen Scarlet’s vicious talons, Winter is grateful to have some help. But even the bravest dragons can’t follow him to the Ice Kingdom, where he’ll have to face the greatest threat of all: his own family.
Character compass
Winter
Moonwatcher
Kinkajou
Hailstorm
Qibli
Discussion points
What qualities do you admire most in Winter and why?
How do the characters in the book demonstrate the importance of friendship and teamwork?
What challenges does Winter face and how does he overcome them?
How do the different dragon tribes in the book compare to the cultures and people in our world?
What lessons can we learn about bravery and leadership from Winter's journey?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences, which can deepen their understanding of the book’s themes.
Discuss the motives behind the characters' actions to help your child develop empathy and understanding of different perspectives.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next at several points in the book, fostering their analytical and critical thinking skills.
Use the magical elements of the story, like the dragon tribes, to spark your child’s imagination and creativity during the conversation.
Emphasize the morals and lessons from the story, tying them back to real-life situations your child might encounter.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of taking responsibility for one's actions
Explanation: In 'Winter Turning', the protagonist, Winter, embarks on a journey of self-discovery and takes responsibility for his past mistakes to make amends.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to acknowledge their own mistakes and understand the importance of making things right, whether it's apologizing to a friend or correcting a misstep.
Example Lesson: The value of courage and bravery
Explanation: Throughout the book, Winter faces various challenges and threats with bravery, teaching readers about the importance of courage in the face of adversity.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to face their own fears, whether it's trying something new or standing up for what's right, even when it's difficult.
Example Lesson: Understanding and embracing differences
Explanation: The book features dragons from different tribes with unique abilities and perspectives, highlighting the strength in diversity and the importance of acceptance.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this understanding in their interactions with peers who may look, act, or think differently than they do, fostering a more inclusive environment.
Example Lesson: The significance of teamwork
Explanation: Winter and his friends must collaborate to overcome obstacles, demonstrating how teamwork can lead to success even in tough situations.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of working together with others, whether in school projects, sports, or family activities, to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Perseverance in the face of challenges
Explanation: As Winter continues his quest despite setbacks, he exemplifies perseverance, motivating readers to keep pushing forward even when things get tough.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to not give up easily on their tasks or goals, be it completing a difficult homework assignment or learning a new skill in sports or arts.