Cosmic Calamity
on Goodreads (6)
What’s inside...
An intergalactic adventure follows Hex, the worst space invader on Planet X, who is cursed with bad luck. He struggles with simple tasks like shooting a ray gun and flying a spaceship. When Hex learns that his long-lost father is living happily on Planet Earth, he decides to give up space invading and reunite with him. However, Hex's inability to fly a spaceship creates a challenge. Will he make it to Earth in one piece?
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
294 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think was the biggest challenge the characters faced in 'Cosmic Calamity'? How would you have handled it?
Which character in the book did you find most interesting or relatable? Why?
If you had a chance to ask the author one question about the book, what would it be?
How do you think teamwork played a role in solving the problems in the story?
What is one thing you learned from 'Cosmic Calamity' that you can apply in your everyday life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading techniques like different voices for each character to make the story come alive and keep your child engaged.
Pause at suspenseful moments in the story to ask your child to predict what might happen next, fostering their analytical thinking.
After reading the book, encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character. This helps in reinforcing their memory of the story and allows them to express their understanding creatively.
Link the themes or challenges in the book to real-life situations or decisions your child might face, making the story more relevant to them.
End your discussion with asking their thoughts on how the book ended and if they would have written it any differently. This encourages critical thinking and creative storytelling skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: In 'Cosmic Calamity', the characters must work together to solve the intergalactic challenges they face.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in sports, learning to cooperate and value each team member's contribution.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The protagonist learns to take responsibility for their actions when their decisions lead to cosmic-scale problems.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of considering the consequences of their actions in everyday decisions, be it at home or in school.
Example Lesson: Creativity and problem-solving
Explanation: The characters use creative thinking to navigate through unusual and challenging situations.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to think outside the box to solve problems, whether it’s in their homework, during play, or in conflict resolution with peers.
Example Lesson: The value of curiosity
Explanation: The lead characters' curiosity leads them to explore and learn about new planets and civilizations.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to learn more about the world around them, ask questions, and actively seek knowledge in all areas of life.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: As the characters encounter various alien beings, they learn to understand and empathize with different perspectives and cultures.
Real-World Application: This helps children appreciate diversity and practice empathy in their daily interactions with friends from different backgrounds.