A Moon Girl Stole My Friend
on Goodreads (40)
What’s inside...
It’s 2099. Lyla lives in a world of robocats, flying sweets and instant snow, but some things never change. Little brothers are still annoying, school teachers make you cringe, and, when your best friend deserts you for the new girl, it still HURTS. Especially when that new girl is from the Moon. But Lyla’s problems lead her into unexpected adventures . . .
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-8
Length
176 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Lyla felt when the Moon Girl came to her school?
Why do you think the Moon Girl did things differently from other kids?
What would you do if you met someone who seemed very different from everyone else?
Can you think of a time when you felt left out? How did it make you feel?
How did Lyla and the Moon Girl manage to resolve their differences?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing a personal story about a time you met someone new and different. This helps create an empathetic environment for discussing the book's themes.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the characters' actions and decisions, reinforcing that all feelings are valid.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child’s responses to the key questions to deepen the conversation.
Connect themes from the book to real-life situations in your child’s world, like school or friendships, to help contextualize the story.
Wrap up the discussion by asking your child how they might act in a similar situation, fostering critical thinking and empathy.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of empathy and understanding
Explanation: The book portrays a scenario where characters face misunderstandings and learn to see things from each other's perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being considerate of their friends' feelings and viewpoints, fostering stronger friendships and better conflict resolution.
Example Lesson: Adapting to changes
Explanation: Characters in the book experience changes in friendships and adapt to new social dynamics.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand that changes are part of life and learning to adapt is a valuable skill.
Example Lesson: Valuing true friendship
Explanation: Through the plot, the importance of genuine friendships is highlighted, despite the allure of new, seemingly exciting relationships.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and cherish their real friends, understanding the depth and value of longstanding relationships over surface-level interactions.
Example Lesson: Resolving conflicts
Explanation: The story demonstrates constructive ways to solve disagreements and restore harmony among friends.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to apply peaceful conflict resolution strategies in their everyday interactions with peers.
Example Lesson: The power of communication
Explanation: Miscommunications between characters lead to problems which are then resolved through open and honest conversations.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of communicating clearly and listening to others to avoid misunderstandings and mend relationships.