Dam (The Heights)
What’s inside...
Themes: Family Life, Adventure, Travel, Fiction, Tween, Chapter Book, Hi-Lo, Hi-Lo Books, Hi-Lo Solutions, High-Low Books, Hi-Low Books, ELL, EL, ESL, Struggling Learner, Struggling Reader, Special Education, SPED, Newcomers, Reading, Learning, Education, Educational, Educational Books. The whole dam may collapse if the floodgates aren't opened. If that happened, the flood will be much worse. People will die. These traditional reads are brimming with spirited characters and positive values-but with a little extra excitement and bite, so hold on to your hats! Written expressly for the middle grade struggling reader, the series does not contain strong language, edgy themes, or dysfunctional families. In fact, family is the main theme of these titles. And one particular Latino family is the focus with their uncanny knack for finding humor, hope, and colorful personalities-even in unusual circumstances. Written at the lowest reading levels, the 50-page story structure is straightforward and moves the reader through the text quickly and efficiently.
Why read this book
- Engaging narrative fosters imagination and emotional growth.
- Addresses real-life challenges, enhancing problem-solving skills.
- Supports literacy development through structured language.
- Ideal for family reading, strengthens parent-child bond.
Age
12-18
Length
53 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think life would be like living in a town like in the book?
What feelings did you experience as you read about the challenges the characters faced?
How do you think the characters changed by the end of the story?
If you were in the story, what would you have done differently?
What do you think the town should do next after the events of the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book's events to foster empathy and understanding.
Discuss the character's choices and ask your child what they would do in similar situations to develop critical thinking.
Link themes from the book to real-life events to make the conversation relevant and engaging.
Use follow-up questions like 'Why do you think that?' to encourage deeper thinking and exploration of ideas.
Praise your child for their insights and contributions to the discussion to build confidence in their analytical skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Overcoming adversity
Explanation: In 'Dam (The Heights),' characters face challenging circumstances and learn to overcome hardships through resilience and determination.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by developing a positive attitude and perseverance when faced with their own difficulties, whether in school or in personal situations.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: The story highlights how characters work together to solve problems and achieve common goals, showcasing the power of collaboration.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to participate in group activities and understand the benefits of working collaboratively with others in school projects or sports teams.
Example Lesson: Value of empathy
Explanation: Characters in the book often show compassion and understand each other's feelings, which helps in resolving conflicts and building stronger relationships.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be more empathetic towards their peers, which will help them build meaningful friendships and be more considerate in their interactions.
Example Lesson: Embracing change
Explanation: The narrative includes elements where characters must adapt to new situations, demonstrating the importance of being flexible and open to change.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that change is a part of life and learning to adapt is crucial for personal growth and success.
Example Lesson: Accountability for actions
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters learn to take responsibility for their actions and see how their choices affect others, reinforcing accountability.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of being accountable for their actions, which can lead to a greater sense of responsibility in their day-to-day activities and decisions.