Friends to Die For
on Goodreads (27)
What’s inside...
Sixteen-year-old Cristina is forced to evaluate her sophisticated world of elegant New York apartments, private schools, and rich friends when a girl she knows is murdered after a party they both attended. When Crissy and her friends' wild party spins out of control, one of them ends up dead, with the killer on the loose, and Crissy has a terrible secret to keep. Reprint.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
176 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes a true friend, and do you see any of those qualities in the characters from the book?
How did the characters' actions show they cared for each other, even in tough times?
Can you think of a time when you helped a friend or a friend helped you like in the story?
Why do you think the author chose the title 'Friends to Die For'? How does it relate to the story?
What would you have done differently if you were one of the characters?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing a personal story about a time when a friend helped you, setting a relatable tone for the discussion.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the book's events and characters, validating their thoughts and opinions.
Use the questions to guide a deeper conversation about friendship and its value, connecting themes from the book to real-life situations.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child's responses to encourage them to think more critically and expressively about the themes.
Highlight the moral lessons in the story, discussing how these can be applied in everyday interactions with friends.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship
Explanation: In 'Friends to Die For', the characters demonstrate the value of friendship through their support and loyalty to each other, even in challenging times.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to cultivate and cherish supportive friendships, helping them build strong, positive relationships throughout their life.
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences
Explanation: The book illustrates how each character's decisions impact not only themselves but also those around them, reinforcing the concept of consequences.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to think about the outcomes of their actions, promoting responsible behavior in social and academic settings.
Example Lesson: Resolving conflicts
Explanation: Through the narrative, children learn how the characters resolve their differences by communication and understanding, providing a blueprint for handling disputes.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply these conflict resolution skills at school or in playground settings, improving their interpersonal relationships and reducing potential conflicts.
Example Lesson: Empathy and compassion
Explanation: Characters in the story often put themselves in others' shoes, which fosters a sense of empathy and compassion.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be considerate and empathetic towards others’ feelings, aiding in their emotional and social development.