Calamity Jack
#2 of 2 in Rapunzel's Revenge Series
What’s inside...
Co-written by New York Times bestselling and Newbery Honor winning author Shannon Hale, this sequel to Rapunzel's Revenge is a hilarious tall tale about Jack and his adventures with his beanstalk and best-friend Rapunzel. Jack considers himself a criminal mastermind with a streak of bad luck. One day, Jack targets a giant and a small bean grows into a massive beanstalk that causes destruction. With the help of Rapunzel, a pixie from his past, and a man with futuristic inventions, they work together to outsmart evil giants, save their city, and take readers on a fantastical adventure.
Discussion points
What do you think Jack learned about friendship and trust throughout his adventures?
How do Jack's decisions impact the people around him? Can you think of a time when your decision affected others?
Why do you think Jack chooses to face his fears instead of running away from them?
What role do you think teamwork plays in overcoming obstacles in the story?
How does the setting influence the story? Can you imagine the story happening in a different place?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the consequences of actions, just like Jack learns in his adventures.
Discuss the importance of loyalty and trust with your child, highlighting scenes that showcase these themes.
Explore the concept of bravery by discussing moments when Jack faces challenges.
Highlight the importance of teamwork by pointing out how characters help each other throughout the book.
Use the setting of the story to spark a conversation about different environments and how they can affect our actions and decisions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility and Consequences
Explanation: In 'Calamity Jack', Jack demonstrates the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions. Throughout the story, he faces the consequences of his previous mistakes and learns to deal with them constructively.
Real-World Application: Children can learn that their actions have consequences. This encourages them to think before they act and understand the importance of responsibility in their daily lives.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: Jack partners with several characters to overcome obstacles and achieve common goals, illustrating the effectiveness of working together.
Real-World Application: This reinforces the value of cooperation and teamwork in school projects, family chores, or playing sports with friends.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the story, Jack uses his wits and creativity to navigate through challenges, showing that sometimes unconventional thinking is necessary to solve problems.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to think creatively in their approach to problem-solving in academics or social situations.
Example Lesson: Courage and Bravery
Explanation: Jack often faces dangerous situations, yet he bravely confronts these challenges. His courage in adversity is a central theme.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of facing fears and the value of courage when confronting personal challenges, whether it’s standing up to a bully or trying out a new activity.
Example Lesson: Resilience and Perseverance
Explanation: Despite numerous setbacks, Jack persists in his efforts to set things right, displaying resilience.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of perseverance in achieving goals despite difficulties, such as persisting with challenging schoolwork or learning a new skill.