Curse of the Shadow Dragon: A Branches Book
#23 of 30 in Dragon Masters Series
What’s inside...
Drake and Worm meet a Shadow Dragon named Chaya and his Dragon Master, Aruna, who are causing a huge shadow to blanket the sky and wizards to lose their magic powers. As part of the Dragon Masters, Drake teams up with Jean to figure out how Chaya has so much power. They need to stop the shadow from spreading further and plunging the world into darkness. Will they succeed, or will evil magic prevail? This fast-paced adventure is part of Scholastic's Branches line aimed at boosting reading confidence and stamina in newly independent readers.
Discussion points
What do you think made the Shadow Dragon feel the need to cast a curse? What would you do if you were in its place?
How did the characters in the story show courage? Can you think of a time when you were brave like them?
What can we learn from the teamwork shown by the characters? How do you help your friends when they need you?
If you could have a magical power like one of the characters in the book, what would it be and why?
How do you think the story would change if it was set in our town?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use open-ended questions that encourage more than a yes or no response. This fosters deeper thinking and engagement from the child.
Relate the book’s scenarios to your child's real-life experiences. This helps them connect with the story and reflect on their own actions and feelings.
Discuss the moral or lesson of the book. This can lead to a conversation about values and decision making in everyday life.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or plot twists, which enhances creativity and problem-solving skills.
Highlight characters’ emotions and actions, asking your child how they would feel or react in similar situations, promoting empathy and understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of fear
Explanation: In 'Curse of the Shadow Dragon,' characters confront their fears when they face the shadow dragon, teaching children that it is okay to be scared and that true bravery is facing what frightens you.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by facing their own fears, whether it's speaking in front of the class, trying out for a sports team, or standing up for a friend.
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: The characters in the book must work together to solve the mystery of the shadow dragon. This highlights how collaboration and leveraging individual strengths can achieve common goals.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the significance of cooperating in group activities at school, sports, and family tasks to accomplish more together than they could alone.
Example Lesson: Perseverance through challenges
Explanation: As the characters encounter setbacks in their quest, they learn to persevere and not give up, showcasing the importance of resilience.
Real-World Application: Children learn to keep trying in the face of academic challenges or learning new skills, understanding that persistence is key to overcoming difficulties.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and problem-solving
Explanation: The characters use clues and logic to figure out why the shadow dragon is causing trouble, which emphasizes the value of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Kids can utilize these skills to navigate challenges in their studies or in resolving conflicts with peers, fostering a methodical approach to problem solving.