Emily and Jackson Hiding Out
#2 in Emily Series
on Goodreads (97)
What’s inside...
Due to demand for a companion story to the popular Emily's Fortune, Newbery Award winner Phyllis Reynolds Naylor has written another rootin' tootin' Wild West escapade that once again includes plucky orphans Emily and Jackson, dastardly villains, and comical cliffhangers.Emily Wiggins is thrilled that she and her orphan friend Jackson have escaped the clutches of the Child-Catching Services and Emily's villainous uncle Victor. Emily and Jackson are now living happily with her loving aunt Hilda. But just a mighty mouth minute! Someone's snooping around for an orphan child on the run! He knows Jackson is hiding nearby and aims to get a reward for snatching him and sending him to work at a mill. What in leapin' livers should Jackson do? And Emily can't rest easy either, since some sort of creature is coming to their gate when Jackson and Emily are home alone. What in simmering succotash is that moving pile of dirt? Is it a heap of black rags, is it a dusty tumbleweed, no it's . . . Now what in shaking shivers will happen next?
Character compass
Emily Wiggins
Jackson
Auntie Hilda
Harriet
Discussion points
How do Emily and Jackson show courage and teamwork throughout their adventure?
What are some ways that the characters deal with their fears and challenges?
Why is trust important in friendships, and how do Emily and Jackson show trust in each other?
If you were in Emily and Jackson’s situation, what would you have done differently?
How do the characters change from the beginning to the end of the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by asking your child how they felt about the book and if there was anything they didn’t understand. This helps set a comfortable tone for the discussion.
Encourage your child to think about the decisions the characters made and discuss alternatives or different outcomes.
Relate the themes of the book to your child's personal experiences. For example, discuss a time when your child had to trust a friend or face a fear.
Highlight the importance of empathy by discussing how different characters might have felt at various points in the story.
Close the discussion by asking your child what they learned from the story and how it might apply to their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of trust and honesty
Explanation: Throughout 'Emily and Jackson Hiding Out', the characters face situations where they must decide whether to be truthful. The positive outcomes following honest decisions reinforce this virtue.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding the value of honesty in building trust with friends and family and the positive consequences it brings in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Emily and Jackson encounter various challenges that require them to think critically and creatively to resolve problems. Their success demonstrates effective problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to use critical thinking and creativity to handle challenges at school or in play, developing their ability to navigate obstacles independently.
Example Lesson: The significance of courage and resilience
Explanation: The characters show bravery when dealing with dangerous or unfamiliar situations, teaching that courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to face it.
Real-World Application: Children learn that being courageous means standing up for themselves or others and managing fears, whether trying something new or standing up against wrongdoings.
Example Lesson: Empathy and cooperation
Explanation: Emily and Jackson demonstrate empathy by understanding each other's feelings and viewpoints, leading to cooperative efforts to solve their problems.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be reflected in how children interact with peers, showing understanding and working together in group tasks or during play.