Catchpole Curse
#3 in Mystic Adventures Series
on Goodreads (1)
What’s inside...
Teenagers Ben and Emma share many things with their ancestors, including twins' communication skills and a curse that has blighted the family for 200 years. This summer, the curse threatens to force the destitute Catchpoles to sell their beloved Cornish home, Penrose. After falling down a cliff-top mineshaft, Ben and Emma encounter the ghosts of their ancestral twins and time slip to the 19th century. There, they are forced by smugglers to help with a valuable cargo, only to be cursed by the smugglers' leader who believes they betrayed him. Back in the present day, the Catchpoles face a media frenzy, a vengeful family, an armed robber, and misunderstanding parents. They must unite to clear their family's name, save Penrose, and reconcile with the past. 'The Catchpole Curse' is a fast-paced time-slip fantasy set in the idyllic Cornish countryside, mixing surreal and modern day elements for a unique adventure through family history and present-day challenges.
Discussion points
What do you think is the main challenge the characters face in 'Catchpole Curse'?
How do the characters in the story show courage or teamwork?
What would you do if you were in the same situation as the main character?
How do you think the curse affects the family in the story?
What is one lesson you learned from 'Catchpole Curse'?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate their feelings to the characters, enhancing emotional understanding.
Discuss the decisions characters make, asking your child what they would do differently.
Focus on the resolution of conflicts within the story, prompting your child to think about the importance of resolving their own conflicts.
Ask your child to predict future events in the story to develop their analytical thinking.
Talk about the moral of the story, and how it can be applied in real life, to reinforce values.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of courage and bravery
Explanation: In 'Catchpole Curse,' the protagonist faces daunting challenges and overcomes fears to break the family curse.
Real-World Application: Children learn to confront their own fears and challenges, understanding that bravery is not the absence of fear but the ability to act in spite of it.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship and teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters collaborate and support each other, highlighting how teamwork can accomplish what might be impossible alone.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of working with others and valuing different viewpoints to solve problems or achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Importance of perseverance
Explanation: The main characters persist in their quest despite numerous setbacks, embodying the principle that perseverance leads to success.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of persistence in achieving goals, whether in academics, sports, or personal projects.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and consequences
Explanation: Characters in the book make decisions that have both positive and negative outcomes, teaching readers about responsibility.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that their actions have consequences, teaching them to think before they act.