Black and Blue (The Beat Book 2)
#2 in Point Crime: The Beat Series
on Goodreads (56)
What’s inside...
Black and Blue, the latest in The Beat crime series, features a black police officer who is forced to confront organized racially motivated violence. Violence is brewing on his patch - deliberate organized violence. But who is behind it and what are they trying to achieve? He is determined to find out and he has more than a professional interest as some of that violence is directed at him because of his race.
Discussion points
How do the actions of the main character in 'Black and Blue' show us the importance of honesty?
What challenges does the protagonist face in the story, and how do they handle them?
Can you relate to any of the struggles the characters go through? How would you react in a similar situation?
Why do you think trust and integrity are important themes in this book?
What does this book teach us about handling difficult problems in our own lives?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their own thoughts on the character's decisions and actions. This helps them apply critical thinking to real-life scenarios.
Discuss the importance of the book’s themes, such as honesty and trustworthiness, to impart strong moral values.
Ask your child to draw parallels between the characters’ experiences and their own lives, fostering a deeper personal connection with the book.
Prompt your child to contemplate alternative solutions to the conflicts in the story, which enhances problem-solving skills.
Reinforce the discussions with examples of similar situations either from other books or their own experiences, making the conversation more relatable and grounded.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding the importance of justice
Explanation: The narrative revolves around solving a crime, highlighting how the characters work within the legal boundaries to seek justice.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of fairness and the role of laws in society, encouraging them to respect rules and understand their purpose.
Example Lesson: Empathy and perspective-taking
Explanation: Characters in the story face various social challenges, providing readers with an opportunity to see the world from multiple viewpoints.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children develop empathy, improving their ability to relate to others’ feelings and experiences, which is crucial in fostering social relationships.
Example Lesson: The consequences of actions
Explanation: As the plot unfolds, the repercussions of the characters' decisions are evident, emphasizing the impact of one's actions on others.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to think before acting and to consider the potential effects of their actions on their surroundings and on other people.
Example Lesson: Resilience in facing challenges
Explanation: The characters encounter and overcome numerous obstacles, illustrating resilience and determination.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of perseverance in overcoming difficulties, encouraging them to face their challenges with courage and resilience.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters must collaborate to solve the crime, showing how teamwork can lead to success.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of working with others to achieve common goals, emphasizing cooperation and communication skills.