Big Nate: Say Good-bye to Dork City (Volume 12)
#12 of 31 in Big Nate: Comics Series
on Goodreads (3,091)
What’s inside...
Can Nate Wright get any cooler? Not according to Nate himself. He's already P.S. 38's rockin'est drummer, finest poet (check out his haiku about brazil nuts), and deepest thinker--in his own mind. But does Nate have what it takes to hang with Marcus, leader of the school's most notorious posse? Or will he decide that being cool isn't all it's cracked up to be? Read Say Good-bye to Dork City... and say hello to lots of laughs!
Character compass
Nate Wright
Teddy Ortiz
Francis Pope
Ms. Godfrey
Gina Hemphill-Toms
Discussion points
What do you think Nate learned about friendship in this story?
How did Nate handle challenges in 'Dork City'? What would you have done differently?
Can you think of a time when you felt like an outsider like Nate did? How did you cope with that feeling?
What role do Nate's friends play in his adventures? Why are friends important in our lives?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book’s themes, relating them to their own experiences. Use examples from the book to discuss resilience and the value of friendship. Highlight moments in the story where characters show growth or learn lessons to reinforce these concepts. Lastly, make the discussion enjoyable and interactive by possibly role-playing some scenes or creating drawings inspired by the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of resilience
Explanation: Nate faces various challenges and setbacks throughout 'Big Nate: Say Good-bye to Dork City' but consistently demonstrates resilience by finding ways to overcome them.
Real-World Application: Children learn to persist through difficulties they face in school or in friendships, understanding that setbacks are just opportunities for growth.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship
Explanation: Throughout the book, Nate relies on his friends and values their support and companionship, showing that friendships are crucial for personal happiness and overcoming challenges.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to nurture their friendships, understand the importance of teamwork, and support each other in times of need.
Example Lesson: Self-expression is vital
Explanation: Nate expresses himself through his drawings and actions, which is central to his character, teaching children the importance of expressing their own thoughts and feelings.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be confident in expressing themselves creatively through art, writing, or speaking, reinforcing the importance of personal voice.
Example Lesson: Accepting responsibility
Explanation: Nate often finds himself in humorous mishaps where he learns to take responsibility for his actions, highlighting the importance of accountability.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of owning up to mistakes and understanding their consequences, which is essential in their development towards becoming responsible individuals.