Choppy Socky Blues
What’s inside...
Jason Smallfield's dad is a movie stuntman and a black belt in karate, admired by many kids as a role model. However, to Jason, his dad is a top-ranking creep for abandoning his family. To avoid becoming like his father, Jason decides to distance himself from everything his dad represents, including giving up karate, his favorite activity. Everything is going according to his plan until he meets Tinga, a beautiful girl who is soon testing for her blue belt in karate. In a moment of panic, Jason claims he is also testing for the same rank, and now he must seek help from the only person who can prepare him in time—his father.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-12
Length
259 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Choppy learned about friendship throughout the story?
How do you think Choppy felt when he was trying to find where he belonged?
Can you think of a time when you felt like Choppy and how you dealt with it?
Why is it important to have friends who understand and support you?
What would you do if you were in Choppy’s place at different points in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate Choppy’s experiences to their own by sharing similar feelings or events from their life.
Discuss the importance of resilience and friendship, highlighting how Choppy's interactions with other characters helped him grow.
Use expressive reading to capture the ups and downs in Choppy's journey, making the emotional impact resonate more with your child.
After reading, ask your child to draw a picture of their favorite part of the book, discussing what they drew and why they chose that moment.
Pose hypothetical questions that place your child in Choppy’s shoes to foster empathy and deeper understanding of the character’s choices.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience and perseverance
Explanation: In 'Choppy Socky Blues', the main character faces challenges but continually tries to overcome them, never giving up.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of persistence in everyday tasks and challenges, understanding that success often comes after consistent effort.
Example Lesson: Creativity and problem-solving
Explanation: The story showcases characters solving problems in innovative ways, encouraging thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to apply creative thinking to solve their own challenges at school or at home.
Example Lesson: The value of friendship
Explanation: The characters in the book support each other through various scenarios, highlighting the importance of friendship.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to build and maintain supportive friendships, understanding how to be a good friend in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Emotional intelligence
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters express and manage their emotions, which is a crucial aspect of the narrative.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to recognize and articulate their emotions and to empathize with others, enhancing their social interactions and emotional well-being.
Example Lesson: Conflict resolution
Explanation: The characters encounter conflicts and learn to resolve them effectively without resorting to anger.
Real-World Application: Children learn strategies to peacefully solve disputes and understand the importance of compromise in daily interactions.