Wonderland
#4 of 4 in St Grizzle'S Series
on Goodreads (64)
What’s inside...
A warm, funny novel about looking for love from best-selling author Karen McCombie. Jude has never had much luck with boys, with the men in her life consistently failing to treat her right, including her dad. Then she meets Gareth, who is sensitive, caring and actually listens to her. Jude wonders if she has finally found the good guy she's been searching for and if she's over her addiction to bad boys. This year, she hopes that Santa will bring her someone worth falling in love with, as she has always had a weakness for bad boys, but this Christmas might be different.
Discussion points
What do you think about the main character’s decisions? What would you have done in their place?
How do you feel about the way the story ended? Is there anything you would change?
What did you learn about the importance of friendship from this book?
Can you think of a time you felt like the main character? How did you handle it?
Which part of the story was your favorite and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, relating it to their own experiences. Use open-ended questions to explore themes like friendship, bravery, and decision-making. Pause at pivotal moments in the story to predict what might happen next, fostering critical thinking. Reinforce the morals or lessons learned from the book and discuss how they can be applied in real life. Share your own interpretations and encourage your child to ask questions, creating a reciprocal dialogue.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of curiosity
Explanation: In Wonderland, the protagonist embarks on a magical journey fueled by their desire to explore and understand the unfamiliar.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to ask questions and explore new hobbies or subjects that interest them, fostering a lifelong love of learning.
Example Lesson: The value of resilience
Explanation: Throughout the story, challenges are faced and overcome through perseverance and courage showcased by the characters.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to not be deterred by difficulties and to continue striving towards their goals despite setbacks.
Example Lesson: The power of friendship
Explanation: Wonderland highlights the adventures that the characters undertake together, emphasizing the support they provide to each other.
Real-World Application: Promotes the idea of teamwork and supporting friends, stressing the importance of building strong, healthy relationships.
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences
Explanation: Characters in the book make decisions that lead to various outcomes, illustrating the cause and effect relationship.
Real-World Application: Helps children grasp the concept that their actions have consequences, guiding them to make thoughtful choices.
Example Lesson: Embracing diversity
Explanation: The book features a range of characters, each unique in their way, demonstrating the strength in diversity and acceptance.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to appreciate and respect individual differences, fostering an inclusive environment at school and in their community.