Freya the Brave: Independent Reading Gold 9
Independent Reading Gold Series
on Goodreads (5)
What’s inside...
In 'Freya the Brave', young readers join Freya on her enchanting adventure as she embarks on a quest that tests her bravery and determination. Along her journey, Freya faces various challenges that she overcomes using her wit and strength of character. This story is part of the Reading Champion series, developed with Dr. Sue Bodman and Glen Franklin of UCL Institute of Education (IOE), designed to encourage independent reading skills through carefully graded books matched to a child’s reading ability. Freya, although not always feeling brave, proves herself braver than most on a Viking adventure. The series features fantastic, original stories accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity, encouraging reading for pleasure.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Freya felt when she faced challenges? What would you do in her place?
What does bravery mean to you? Can you think of a time you were brave like Freya?
Freya meets many characters in her journey. Who was your favorite and why?
How did the people around Freya help her in her adventures? How do we help each other in our family?
What is one lesson you learned from Freya's story that you can use in your own life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story. Listen actively to their responses to understand their perspective.
Relate the themes of the book to real-life situations your child might face to help them connect with Freya's experiences.
Discuss the different characters and their actions. Ask your child how they would act differently if they were in the same situation.
Use praise to encourage your child to share more. This promotes confidence in expressing their ideas and opinions.
After discussing, consider co-creating a small story or drawing about bravery inspired by Freya's adventures, reinforcing the message through creativity.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in facing fears
Explanation: The protagonist, Freya, demonstrates bravery when she confronts her fear of the dark during a challenging adventure.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by facing their own fears, whether it's trying new activities or standing up in class presentations, thereby building their confidence.
Example Lesson: Importance of perseverance
Explanation: Freya persistently tackles obstacles throughout her journey, showing that determination can lead to success.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to keep trying in spite of difficulties, whether in solving a tough math problem or learning a new skill.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship
Explanation: Throughout her adventure, Freya learns the importance of supporting and relying on her friends, which proves vital in overcoming challenges.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of building and maintaining friendships, which helps in team activities and enhances empathy and cooperation.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Freya uses clever thinking and problem-solving strategies to navigate through her quests.
Real-World Application: This instills the ability in children to think critically and solve problems creatively in their daily tasks and schoolwork.
Example Lesson: The power of curiosity
Explanation: Freya's adventurous spirit is driven by her curiosity about the world around her, which leads to learning and growth.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore, ask questions, and learn continuously about the diverse world around them, fostering a lifelong love of learning.