Big Nate: Beware of Low-Flying Corn Muffins
#27 of 31 in Big Nate: Comics Series
on Goodreads (3,112)
What’s inside...
Soon to be an animated series from Nickelodeon! The latest installment in the thrilling, bestselling Big Nate series by Lincoln Peirce. Sixth-grade dynamo Nate Wright has all kinds of big plans and tricks up his sleeve, including writing a new hit children's book, trying to convince his dad to get him a new dog for Christmas, and helping his friend Chad score a new nickname at P.S. 38. Along the way, he encounters resistance from all the usual suspects, including Mrs. Godfrey, classmate Gina, and anyone skeptical of his plans to become an award-winning author. And as usual, things never quite turn out exactly like he planned. Join Nate and friends for another laugh-packed installment of Big Nate comic fun; A 2023 Children's Book Council Children's Favorite Winner!
Character compass
Nate Wright
Teddy Ortiz
Francis Pope
Gina Hemphill-Toms
Discussion points
What do you think motivates Big Nate to act the way he does in the story?
How do the friendships in the book impact the choices the characters make?
Can you think of a time when you faced a similar situation to Big Nate? What did you do?
What lesson do you think Big Nate learned by the end of the book?
How would you have handled the conflicts that arose in the story differently?
Tip: Role play these questions
Ask open-ended questions that require more than a yes or no answer to encourage deeper thinking and conversation.
Relate the discussions to your child's experiences to help them connect with the book and reflect on their own life.
Praise your child for their thoughts and insights during the discussion to encourage continued participation and interest.
Let your child lead parts of the conversation to give them a sense of ownership and involvement in the discussion.
Be patient and give your child time to think and respond to questions, which helps in developing their critical thinking skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In the book, Nate takes up the role of handling his school's cafeteria announcements, showcasing a sense of duty in managing responsibilities.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of taking responsibility in their own tasks, whether it’s their chores at home or duties in school.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: Nate uses his creative skills to make the announcements entertaining, demonstrating the power of creativity in everyday tasks.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to apply creativity in solving problems or presenting information, making mundane tasks enjoyable and engaging.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, Nate collaborates with friends to improve the cafeteria experience, highlighting the value of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children learn that working together with others can lead to successful outcomes and is a crucial skill in both academic and social settings.
Example Lesson: Handling Mistakes
Explanation: Nate makes mistakes along the way but learns from them, showing that errors are part of the learning process.
Real-World Application: It teaches children that mistakes are normal, and the key is to learn and grow from these experiences rather than dwell on them.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: Despite facing challenges, Nate remains determined to improve the cafeteria announcements, illustrating the importance of persistence.
Real-World Application: This lesson can instill resilience in children, encouraging them to keep trying and not give up easily in the face of challenges.