Freddy Tangles: Legend or Loser
Freddy Tangles Series
What’s inside...
Freddy Tangles is an ordinary boy who has many fears and finds himself in a lot of trouble in this humorous fiction. Freddy must confront the school bully, Sid Malone, who is after him. He comes up with a wild plan to develop laser beam eyes, but soon realizes he might need a more realistic solution. As Sid also threatens Freddy's friends, Freddy must overcome his fears, including his intimidating little sister, to save them all from harm. The story is filled with humor and relatable dilemmas, perfect for fans of Tom Gates and Big Nate.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
128 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Freddy felt the way he did when facing challenges?
What do you think makes someone a legend? How does Freddy fit into your definition?
How do the relationships with Freddy’s friends influence his actions throughout the story?
What would you have done differently if you were in Freddy's shoes?
How does the story show the importance of bravery and standing up for oneself?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to draw parallels between their own experiences and Freddy's, fostering deeper emotional connections.
Praise your child’s responses and follow up with further queries to delve deeper into their thoughts.
Discuss the moral lessons in the story, and how these can be applied in real world situations, linking the narrative to tangible learning outcomes.
Use expressive reading techniques, changing your tone for different characters, to make the story more engaging and help the child differentiate perspectives.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in facing fears
Explanation: Freddy Tangles confronts his anxieties about bullies and unfamiliar situations, demonstrating bravery.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to face their own fears, whether it's trying out a new activity or standing up for themselves.
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship
Explanation: Throughout the book, Freddy learns the value of true friends who support him in challenging times.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to appreciate and nurture friendships, helping them build strong social support networks.
Example Lesson: Resilience and perseverance
Explanation: Freddy shows resilience when things don’t go his way, teaching readers that it’s okay to fail and encouraging them to keep trying.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to not give up easily in their pursuits, be it in academics, sports, or relationships.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Freddy learns to understand perspectives different from his own, especially in dealing with bullies.
Real-World Application: Children can use this lesson to be more considerate and understand other people’s feelings and viewpoints, fostering a more empathetic young society.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: In his adventures, Freddy often comes across problems that he has to solve creatively and effectively.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and creatively in solving their own problems, whether at home or in school.