Billy Bones: Beyond the Grave
#1 in Billy Bones Series
on Goodreads (12)
What’s inside...
Meet Billy Bones, a ten-year-old who finds himself in the Afterlife following his death. In this new world where the dead are living and sunlight burns, Billy must navigate through the challenges of this backwards existence. His memories from past lives are stored in a secret book, which has been stolen, and he needs to find it while avoiding the dreaded Reaper who is after him. Readers can choose the course of Billy's journey in this 'Choose-Your-Own-Demise' novel, which also includes a traditional 'Chapter' version.
Discussion points
What do you think made Billy Bones brave enough to face the challenges beyond the grave?
How did Billy Bones' friendship with others in the story change his journey?
What would you do if you were in Billy Bones' situation at different points in the story?
How do you think facing fears can help us grow, just like it helped Billy?
If you could ask Billy Bones one question, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the challenges faced by Billy Bones to their own experiences of overcoming fear or trying something new.
Discuss the importance of friendship and teamwork highlighted in the book, asking your child about their friendships and what makes them special.
Prompt your child to think creatively by asking how they would have handled the situations Billy faced differently.
Use the adventures of Billy Bones as a metaphor for personal growth and discuss with your child about times they’ve faced and overcome their own fears.
After discussing a question, share your own thoughts to model reflective thinking and encourage a deeper conversation.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship
Explanation: In 'Billy Bones: Beyond the Grave', Billy learns the value of genuine companionship by navigating the afterlife with his new friends. Together, they overcome challenges and support each other.
Real-World Application: Children will understand the significance of supporting and trusting their friends, which can strengthen their interpersonal relationships and social skills.
Example Lesson: Courage to face fears
Explanation: Throughout the story, Billy encounters frightening situations but learns to conquer his fears. His bravery in facing the unknown head-on is a recurring theme.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to tackle their own fears, whether it’s trying out for a school play, starting a new school, or standing up to a bully.
Example Lesson: Adaptability to change
Explanation: Billy's sudden transition to the afterlife represents a drastic change, teaching him to adapt to new environments and situations. His journey highlights the importance of flexibility.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson to their lives by learning to be resilient and adaptable during transitions such as moving to a new town or adjusting to a new family dynamic.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: As Billy navigates the afterlife, he makes several mistakes but uses them as learning experiences, which contribute to his growth throughout the book.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to view their mistakes as opportunities for growth, fostering a mindset of continuous learning and self-improvement.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Billy encounters various characters with different backgrounds and stories, learning to understand and empathize with their experiences and emotions.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of empathy, promoting kindness and an understanding of diverse perspectives in their daily interactions.