Ben Fox: Squirrel Zombie Specialist at Your Service
on Goodreads (24)
What’s inside...
Ten-year-old Ben Fox navigates life with good friends, a great dog, and a lightning-fast sister. He faces challenges like wearing foot braces and dealing with his family's sneaky Siamese cat, Percy. Ben's suspicions about Percy are confirmed when the cat raises an army of squirrel zombies in the backyard, targeting Ben's dog. With his mom afraid of the supernatural and only his little sister to help, Ben must prevent a full-scale Animal Zombie Apocalypse and protect his dog from the dangerous squirrel zombies.
Age
7-12
Length
121 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made Ben Fox want to help the squirrel? How would you feel in his situation?
What is the importance of teamwork as shown in the book? Can you share a time when you had to work with others to solve a problem?
How do the characters in the story handle fear or uncertainty? What can we learn from their reactions?
Why do you think the author chose a squirrel to be a zombie? What makes it interesting or funny?
What would you do if you were a specialist like Ben Fox? What kind of problems would you want to solve?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by asking your child about their favorite part of the book to set a positive tone for the discussion. Show genuine interest in their thoughts and feelings about the story to encourage them to open up. Relate the book's situations to real-life scenarios your child might encounter to help them connect with the characters and themes. Use the questions to guide a deeper reflection on the story's messages about bravery, problem-solving, and compassion. Encourage your child to think creatively by asking them to imagine their own adventures or solutions to odd problems like those faced by Ben Fox.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: In the story, Ben Fox works together with his quirky team to solve problems. This demonstrates the importance of working collaboratively to achieve common goals.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson in school projects or family activities, learning to listen and combine efforts with others for successful outcomes.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: The character, Ben Fox, encounters various challenges which he must creatively solve as a 'Squirrel Zombie Specialist'. This highlights the significance of thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to apply creative thinking when faced with obstacles, whether in their studies, friendships, or toy assembly tasks.
Example Lesson: Embracing Individuality
Explanation: Each character in the book brings unique skills to the team, emphasizing that individual differences are valuable. Ben Fox’s ability to see the best in quirky traits teaches appreciation for diversity.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value their own and others' unique traits, promoting self-confidence and interpersonal respect in diverse settings.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Ben Fox takes his role as a specialist seriously, showing dedication and accountability. This instills the principle of taking responsibility for one's actions and roles.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of being reliable and taking charge of their duties, be it in homework, chores, or caring for a pet.