Alien on the 99th Floor (Yellow Bananas)
A Banana Book Series
What’s inside...
Fred is fed up. The last thing he wants to do on a wet Saturday is go shopping with his mum and his baby brother, Harry. Inside the store, Mum and Harry get out of the lift to buy a cup of tea, but Fred stays and the lift shoots up to the 99th floor. Fred was bored. He didn't like going to the shopping centre with his mum and his little sister. But then by mistake he took the lift to the 99th floor and found an alien who needed his help.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-8
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the alien felt like being on the 99th floor? How would you feel in a new and unfamiliar place?
What lessons can we learn from how the characters interacted with the alien?
If you could ask the alien one question, what would it be and why?
Imagine you're the alien for a day. What would you do differently from the characters in the story?
How do you think the story would change if it took place on the ground floor instead of the 99th floor?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about different scenarios in the book, linking them to their own experiences.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next at various points in the story to help develop their analytical thinking.
Discuss the character's actions and decisions and ask your child if they would have done anything differently, fostering critical thinking.
Create a fun activity where your child imagines and perhaps draws or writes a continuation of the story from the alien’s perspective.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Acceptance of differences
Explanation: The story showcases various characters who are different in appearance and behavior, teaching children to accept and embrace these differences.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by embracing diversity among their peers, learning to accept and appreciate each other's unique qualities.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and exploration
Explanation: The protagonist's adventure on the 99th floor sparks curiosity and encourages exploring the unknown.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be curious about the world around them, ask questions, and engage in exploration to learn more about their environment.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters face various challenges that they need to solve, helping children understand the importance of thinking critically and creatively.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children apply problem-solving skills in their daily activities, improving their ability to overcome obstacles and make decisions.
Example Lesson: Friendship and cooperation
Explanation: The characters work together to overcome challenges, highlighting the value of teamwork and the bonds of friendship.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of cooperation and helping others, which can be applied in collaborative settings like school projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Taking care of the alien teaches responsibility as the characters learn to take accountability for their actions and the wellbeing of others.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of being responsible for their actions and caring for others in their immediate environment, such as pets and younger siblings.