Big Nate: Nailed It!
#28 of 31 in Big Nate: Comics Series
on Goodreads (801)
What’s inside...
The newest pranks, adventures, and school drama from Big Nate, now an animated series on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon! Big Nate is a legend at P.S. 38, where he and friends Francis, Teddy, Dee Dee, Chad, and others manage to make sixth grade interesting with all kinds of pranks, drama, sports, and good times. The all-time leader in detentions, Nate is never far from the spotlight, whether it's for a freak injury on the soccer field, Halloween costume fail, or stirring up a new episode in his long-running rivalry with grade-grubbing Gina or his teacher nemesis, Mrs. Godfrey. This new collection of Big Nate comics from Lincoln Peirce includes over 170 full-color comics and abundant laughs for the whole family, especially young readers ages 8 to 12.
Character compass
Nate Wright
Discussion points
How does Nate handle challenges in the story, and what can we learn from his reactions?
What role do friends play in this book? How does Nate's interactions with his friends affect the plot?
Nate often uses humor to deal with his everyday life. Can you think of a time when humor helped you in a similar situation?
If you were in Nate's shoes, would you have handled any situation differently? Why?
What is the main theme of 'Big Nate: Nailed It!' and how does it relate to your own experiences at school or with friends?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their opinions about the book’s characters and events, validating their feelings and thoughts.
Draw parallels between the story and your child’s life to make the discussion more relatable and engaging.
Ask your child to think about how they would feel in Nate’s situations, promoting empathy and deeper understanding.
Celebrate the use of humor in the book by sharing a laugh with your child over Nate’s escapades, enhancing the joy of reading together.
Focus on the problem-solving aspects of the story, asking your child how they might use similar strategies in their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In 'Big Nate: Nailed It!', Nate learns the importance of being responsible through his adventures and misadventures, particularly when dealing with school projects and commitments to his band.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by taking ownership of their homework and chores, understanding that their actions have consequences.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Throughout the book, Nate faces various challenges but learns to keep trying and not give up, demonstrating the value of perseverance in achieving goals.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to keep working towards their goals, whether in academics, sports, or relationships, even when faced with difficulties.
Example Lesson: Friendship
Explanation: Nate navigates complex social dynamics and learns the importance of being a good friend, which includes honesty, loyalty, and support.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to build stronger, healthier relationships by being supportive and trustworthy friends in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: Nate's involvement in cartoons and music highlights the role of creativity in expressing oneself and finding unique solutions to problems.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to engage in creative activities like drawing, writing, or playing music to develop their unique talents and problem-solving skills.
Example Lesson: Handling Failure
Explanation: The book shows Nate experiencing setbacks, both in his personal and academic life, teaching him to handle failure gracefully.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand that failure is a natural part of learning and growth, and it's essential to learn from mistakes rather than being discouraged by them.