Black Dog
#16 in Stone Barrington Series
on Goodreads (2,109)
What’s inside...
Stone Barrington must battle a nasty opponent in the latest action-packed thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author. After returning home from a treacherous adventure, Stone Barrington is all too happy to settle back down in his New York City abode. But when he's introduced to a glamorous socialite with a staggering inheritance, Stone realizes his days are about to be anything but quiet. As it turns out, Stone's intriguing new companion has some surprisingly familiar ties and other far more sinister ones—including a nefarious enemy that gets too close for comfort. When it becomes clear that this miscreant will stop at nothing to get what he wants, and will endanger all whom Stone holds near, Stone must step in to protect his friends and prevent a dangerous madman from wreaking havoc across the city. An enormous black dog and a very tiny little girl star in this offbeat tale about confronting one’s fears.
Character compass
Stone Barrington
Discussion points
What do you think motivated the black dog to behave the way it did in the story?
How did the characters' reactions to the black dog change throughout the book?
What are some ways the characters could have solved their problems with the black dog?
What did you learn from how the characters handled their fear or misunderstanding of the black dog?
In what ways do you think the story would be different if the black dog was a different color?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story and relate those emotions to personal experiences.
Discuss the moral of the story and what your child can learn from the characters’ interactions.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings for the story and discuss the potential outcomes.
Use the illustrations in the book to ask your child what they notice and how it adds to the story.
Connect the theme of misunderstanding or fear to real-life situations and ask your child how they might handle similar scenarios.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Facing Fears
Explanation: In 'Black Dog,' the protagonist confronts a seemingly menacing black dog, symbolizing facing one's fears.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their everyday fears, whether it's trying something new or standing up in class to speak.
Example Lesson: Friendship and Understanding
Explanation: As the story progresses, the character realizes that the black dog is friendly, teaching the importance of understanding and not judging based on appearances.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be open to making new friends and not to judge others before getting to know them.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The protagonist uses clever thinking to deal with the situation with the black dog, showcasing effective problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply these problem-solving skills in school projects or in resolving conflicts with peers.
Example Lesson: Compassion and Kindness
Explanation: Showing kindness to the black dog transforms fear into friendship, highlighting the power of compassion.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the value of showing kindness in their interactions, which can lead to positive outcomes in their relationships.