Finn Reeder, Flu Fighter: How I Survived a Worldwide Pandemic, the School Bully, and the Craziest Game of Dodge Ball Ever
Finn Reeder Series
What’s inside...
In a journal assignment for English class, Finn Reeder documents the chaos caused by an H1N1 flu epidemic at his school. Many of his classmates and teachers fall ill, impacting daily school life. Surprisingly, the class bully Vic remains unaffected. Amidst the mayhem, everyone in the school attempts various ways to avoid catching the virus or cope with its effects.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-13
Length
80 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did Finn learn about himself and others during the pandemic?
How do you think facing challenges, like Finn did, helps us grow?
What would you have done differently if you were in Finn's shoes during the dodgeball game or dealing with the bully?
How do you think humor helps in dealing with difficult situations like Finn faced?
Can you think of a time when you had to adapt to an unexpected situation? How did you handle it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate their personal experiences to Finn’s adventures, fostering a deeper connection to the themes of resilience and adaptability.
Pose hypothetical scenarios inspired by Finn's situations to see how your child would react, helping them apply the book's lessons to their own life.
Discuss the importance of humor and positivity in overcoming challenges, as demonstrated by Finn, to help your child understand coping mechanisms.
Highlight Finn's interactions with others and discuss the importance of empathy and understanding in real-life situations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Finn Reeder shows courage and determination as he navigates the challenges of a pandemic, a school bully, and an intense dodgeball game.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to stay positive and keep working towards their goals, even when facing difficulties in school or in their personal lives.
Example Lesson: Importance of hygiene and health
Explanation: The book highlights the importance of health precautions during a pandemic, as Finn deals with the flu and other challenges.
Real-World Application: Children are reminded to practice good hygiene like washing hands and maintaining personal space to stay healthy.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: Finn collaborates with classmates in the dodgeball game and in dealing with the school bully.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by working cooperatively in group projects or during sports, learning that teamwork can lead to success.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Throughout the book, Finn learns to understand different perspectives, including why the school bully acts the way he does.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to be empathetic towards others who might seem different or difficult at first, promoting inclusivity and understanding.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Finn frequently uses creativity and quick thinking to handle unexpected situations during the pandemic and the dodgeball game.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think creatively and solve problems they encounter in schoolwork or social situations.