Aurora Burning: The Aurora Cycle
#2 of 3 in The Aurora Cycle Series
on Goodreads (38,776)
What’s inside...
Our heroes are back… kind of. From the bestselling authors of The Illuminae Files comes book two in the epic saga of Squad 312—a gang of misfits, losers, and rule-breakers who might be the galaxy’s last hope. The bad news? An ancient evil is about to rise. The good? Squad 312 is on it... right after dealing with a few distractions: gremps who want to rearrange their faces, flower-eyed GIA agents hunting Auri, and Kal’s sister, who brought an army. With half the galaxy on their tail, it’s time to stop hiding—especially now that the lost ship Hadfield has been found. Its black box may be the key to saving them all. But if Auri can’t master her powers, they’re toast. Think: shocking secrets, bank heists, mysterious gifts, way-too-tight bodysuits, and one hell of a firefight.
Character compass
Aurora Jie-Lin O’Malley
Finian De Karren De Seel
Kallis Gilwraeth (Kal)
Zila Madran
Scarlett Jones
Tyler Jones
Caersan (The Starslayer)
Saedii Gilwraeth
Discussion points
How do the characters in 'Aurora Burning' demonstrate teamwork and what can we learn from them?
What are the challenges the squad faces and how do they handle them? Do you think their strategies were effective?
Which character do you relate to most and why?
How does the concept of loyalty come into play in the story, and what does it teach us about trust and friendship?
What would you do differently if you were a character in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by asking your child which scene or character was most memorable to them, to ease into a deeper conversation about the themes.
Encourage your child to compare the teamwork displayed in the book with their own experiences in school or sports; this can lead to insights on their personal and social development.
Discuss the moral and ethical decisions characters make in the book to help your child develop critical thinking about right and wrong.
Use the adventures in the book as a springboard to ask your child about challenges they face and how they might use lessons from the book to handle them.
Consider discussing the developments at the end and speculate together about what might happen next. This encourages imaginative thinking and prediction skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: The characters in 'Aurora Burning: The Aurora Cycle' work together to overcome challenges and achieve their goals, despite their differences.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in their community, learning to value different perspectives and skills.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and leadership
Explanation: The squad members, particularly Tyler, demonstrate leadership and take responsibility for their actions, which significantly influence the outcome of their mission.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of taking responsibility for their decisions and actions, and how doing so can impact a group positively.
Example Lesson: Coping with failure
Explanation: The characters face numerous setbacks and sometimes fail, yet they learn from these experiences and continue to strive for their objectives.
Real-World Application: Children learn that failure is a part of growth and that persistence and resilience are key to achieving their goals.
Example Lesson: Valuing diversity
Explanation: The diverse backgrounds and abilities of the crew members contribute to the team's strength and success.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to appreciate diversity in their peers and learn that everyone has unique strengths that contribute positively to the collective.
Example Lesson: Ethical decision-making
Explanation: Throughout their journey, the characters are faced with complex moral dilemmas, forcing them to consider the potential consequences of their choices.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to think critically about the consequences of their actions and make decisions that reflect their values and understanding of right and wrong.