Famous Five Colour Short Stories: The Library Mystery
The Famous Five Series
illustrations by
on Goodreads (5)
What’s inside...
In 'The Library Mystery', the Famous Five, consisting of Julian, Dick, Anne, George, and Timmy the dog, visit a local library and come across a peculiar riddle that hints at a hidden treasure. They embark on an adventure full of solving clues and following leads to uncover the secret behind the library mystery. During their visit to Kernach's library to borrow books, an unexpected event occurs when Anne witnesses a shocking scene of a girl tearing a page from a book, prompting the Five to delve into solving this new mystery.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
80 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made the library mystery difficult to solve?
How would you feel if you were in the shoes of one of the Famous Five during their adventure?
What do you think is the importance of teamwork as shown in the story?
How do you think the mystery would have changed if the Five hadn't worked together?
Which character do you relate to the most and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, emphasizing that there are no right or wrong answers.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings to the mystery and discuss the potential outcomes.
Draw parallels between the teamwork exhibited by the Famous Five and instances where your child may need to collaborate with others.
Use the characters' experiences to discuss the value of courage and curiosity in everyday life.
After reading, encourage your child to create their own mystery story, using the book as inspiration.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: In 'Famous Five Colour Short Stories: The Library Mystery', the group of friends work together to solve the mystery, demonstrating the power of collective effort and cooperation.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in sports, learning how to collaborate effectively with others to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters encounter various challenges and obstacles that they must overcome. Their ability to think critically and creatively is highlighted, teaching children effective problem-solving approaches.
Real-World Application: Kids can use similar problem-solving methods in real-life situations, such as resolving conflicts with peers or tackling difficult school assignments.
Example Lesson: The importance of curiosity
Explanation: The characters’ curiosity leads them to uncover the mystery in the library, illustrating how asking questions and exploring can lead to important discoveries.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be inquisitive about their surroundings and to seek knowledge, both academically and in their everyday interactions.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The young detectives take responsibility for finding a solution to the library mystery, showing the importance of taking charge and not shying away from challenges.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be translated into a child’s life by encouraging them to take responsibility for their own actions and decisions, such as completing homework on time or fulfilling household chores.
Example Lesson: Integrity
Explanation: The characters uphold strong moral principles, such as honesty and fairness, when solving the mystery, demonstrating the value of integrity.
Real-World Application: Children learn to act with honesty and fairness in their own lives, whether it’s admitting to a mistake or playing by the rules in games.