Dana's Decision
#3 of 8 in The Gymnasts of Maple Hill Gymnastics Series
on Goodreads (1)
What’s inside...
Dana, an XCEL Gold gymnast, excels on bars and is loved by her teammates and coach. When the gym owner and compulsory coaches recognize her talent, they encourage her to join the Developmental Program and skip levels 4 and 5. As Dana contemplates their offer, she spends her summer enjoying time with her cousin from Vietnam and friends from Maple Hill Gymnastics, while also discovering her talent for diving. Faced with decisions about her commitment to gymnastics and whether to pursue diving, Dana must determine her future path.
Discussion points
How do you think Dana felt when she made her decision? Can you think of a time you felt that way?
What do you think is the most important message in 'Dana's Decision'?
If you were Dana, would you have made the same choice? Why or why not?
How do you think Dana's decision affected the other characters in the book?
What would you do if you were in a similar situation as Dana?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in Dana's shoes while discussing her choices and actions. This fosters empathy and critical thinking.
Highlight the consequences of Dana's decisions to teach your child about cause and effect.
Use examples from your child’s own experiences to relate the story to their life, making the discussion more personal and impactful.
Ask your child to predict what could happen next in the story before turning the page, to keep them engaged and thinking ahead.
Praise your child for their thoughts and questions, reinforcing their interest in reading and discussing books.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of decision-making
Explanation: In 'Dana's Decision', the protagonist Dana faces a dilemma of choosing between telling the truth or covering for a friend. Through her struggle and eventual choice, the story demonstrates the weight and consequences of decisions.
Real-World Application: Children learn to evaluate their choices and understand the impact of their decisions on themselves and others, fostering responsibility and ethical thinking.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Dana empathizes with her friend’s situation, which complicates her decision-making process. Through this, the book illustrates the role of empathy in understanding others’ perspectives.
Real-World Application: This lesson guides children on how to be considerate, improving their social interactions and helping them forge stronger connections with peers.
Example Lesson: The value of honesty
Explanation: As Dana grapples with her choices, the story highlights the importance of honesty and its long-term benefits over temporary relief from lies.
Real-World Application: Children learn the virtue of truthfulness, seeing how honesty fosters trust and authenticity in relationships.
Example Lesson: Coping with peer pressure
Explanation: Dana feels pressured by her peers to make a certain choice. The narrative explores how she handles this pressure, showcasing strategies to maintain personal integrity.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to stay true to their values even when faced with peer pressure, building up their confidence and moral backbone.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The outcomes of Dana’s decisions are clearly depicted, conveying that every decision carries consequences.
Real-World Application: Children understand that their actions lead to outcomes that affect them and others, encouraging them to think before acting.