Fly-By-Night
#1 in Ruth Hollis Series
What’s inside...
Fly-By-Night is the story of a young girl named Ruth who dreams of owning a pony. Her dreams come true when she unexpectedly acquires a scruffy, untrained pony named Fly. Despite the challenges, Ruth and Fly develop a strong bond and face their struggles together, leading to thrilling adventures. Ruth has never ridden a pony before, but as soon as she lays eyes on lively Fly-by-Night, she knows he has to be hers. However, she faces challenges such as finding the money for a saddle and bridle, and learning how to ride.
Discussion points
How do you think the main character felt when their adventure began? Can you relate to their feelings?
What do you think the main lesson of the story is? Why is it important?
If you were a character in the book, who would you want to be and why?
How do the characters change from the beginning to the end of the story?
What would you have done differently if you were in the main character’s situation?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading: Change your tone and pace to match the emotions and action in the story. This helps bring the characters and scenes to life for your child.
Encourage empathy: Ask your child how they would feel in the same situation as the characters, fostering a deeper emotional understanding of the story.
Connect to real life: Relate events or decisions in the story to real-life situations your child might encounter to enhance their comprehension and relatability.
Predict outcomes: Before turning the page, ask your child what they think will happen next. This keeps them engaged and eager to see how the story unfolds.
Celebrate creativity: Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or sequels to the story. This promotes creative thinking and engages their imagination.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters must work together to solve puzzles and overcome challenges. Their success is dependent on each individual contributing their unique skills.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in sports, learning to cooperate and value each member's contribution for collective success.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of difficulties
Explanation: The protagonist faces numerous setbacks on their journey, yet they continue to persevere and remain optimistic.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to remain determined and persistent even when they encounter obstacles in their academics or personal pursuits.
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: Characters in the story learn valuable lessons when they choose to be truthful, even when it is difficult, which ultimately leads to positive outcomes.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of honesty in building trust and strong relationships with friends and family.
Example Lesson: Respect for diversity
Explanation: The book includes a range of characters from different backgrounds, illustrating the strength found in diversity.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to embrace and respect people’s differences in their community, fostering a more inclusive environment.