ALBATROSS
on Goodreads (250)
What’s inside...
He was music, everything else was noise. Everyone at Tess's new school warns her that Micah is bad news-a heartbreaker. And a girl named Daisy is acting like she owns him. Still, Tess can't ignore her attraction to this brooding, brilliant, friendless emo guy who can turn on the charm-or heart-shredding scorn-at a moment's notice. Starting over in a new town after her parents' split isn't easy for Tess, and Micah feels like her first real connection. But then their bond suddenly feels like shackles. Caught in an obsessive triangle of jealousy and codependence, can Tess learn to break away and find herself again? 'Taut and emotionally wrenching . . . I couldn't put it down. Josie Bloss is an author to watch.'-Meg Cabot, author of The Princess Diaries and the Airhead series
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-12
Length
229 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the albatross symbolizes in the story?
How do the characters’ emotions change throughout the book, and why?
What lessons can we learn about friendship from this story?
How would you have reacted in the main character’s situation?
What does the ocean setting make you feel as you read the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story’s setting and ask how they would feel and react.
Ask your child to describe their favorite part of the book and why it stands out to them.
Discuss the emotions of different characters at various points in the story to help your child understand diverse perspectives.
Use prompts from the book to explore broader life lessons, such as the importance of perseverance and understanding.
End your discussion by asking your child how they might use what they've learned from the book in their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: In 'ALBATROSS', the main character faces numerous obstacles but continues to persevere, demonstrating the power of resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to persist through difficulties in their own lives, whether in school or during extracurricular activities, fostering a strong and resilient character.
Example Lesson: Importance of friendship and teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the story, the characters collaborate and support each other, highlighting the significance of working together and building strong relationships.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to value cooperation and teamwork in group settings such as classrooms, sports, or group projects, enhancing their social skills and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Embracing uniqueness
Explanation: The protagonist's unique characteristics ultimately lead to success, underscoring the importance of embracing one's individuality.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children appreciate their own unique traits and those of others around them, promoting self-confidence and respect for diversity.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The characters are often presented with puzzles they need to solve to progress in their journey, teaching critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these skills to overcome challenges in their academic and personal lives, enhancing their ability to think critically and solve problems efficiently.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: Characters in 'ALBATROSS' make mistakes but learn from them, which is a crucial part of the story's moral fabric.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that mistakes are opportunities for learning and growth, which is essential in developing a growth mindset.