George
on Goodreads (18)
What’s inside...
George by Michael Coleman is a children's book that tells the story of a young boy named George who has a passion for soccer. Despite his love for the game, George faces challenges both on and off the field. He struggles with the pressures of team competition, the expectations of his coach and parents, and the dynamics of friendship and rivalry with his teammates. As the story unfolds, George learns valuable lessons about teamwork, sportsmanship, and personal growth. The book aims to teach young readers about the importance of perseverance, the value of being a team player, and the joy that comes from playing the sport you love. Additionally, the book explores the theme of unspoken love between George and Sylvia, who both struggle to express their feelings for each other due to their insecurities about their appearances. George loves Sylvia and Sylvia loves George but neither of them is able to tell each other how they feel. George thinks he is too big and too fat for Sylvia and Sylvia believes she is too small and skinny for George.
Age
7-10
Length
123 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did George feel when he was misunderstood? Can you relate to a time you felt the same way?
What do you think George learned about friendship and communication throughout the story?
How do you think the story would have changed if George reacted differently to his challenges?
Why is it important to listen to others and understand their feelings? How can we practice this?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and opinions about the story, reinforcing that their perspective is valued.
Relate the themes of the book to real-life situations in your child's life to make the conversation more relatable and impactful.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child’s responses to deep dive into their understanding and feelings.
Highlight key moments of change in George's behavior or decisions and discuss their importance with your child.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Dealing with Grief
Explanation: The book follows George, a young boy, navigating his emotions after losing his beloved pet. Through storytelling, children learn that grief is a normal response to loss.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this understanding by acknowledging their feelings of sadness or loss, and learn healthy ways to express and cope with these emotions.
Example Lesson: Importance of Empathy
Explanation: As the story unfolds, characters around George display empathy towards his situation, which helps him feel supported. This illustrates the importance of understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
Real-World Application: Children can practice empathy by being supportive and kind to friends or family members who are experiencing emotional difficulties.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: George gradually learns to cope with his loss and starts to enjoy his life again, demonstrating resilience. The story teaches children that it's possible to recover from painful experiences and find happiness again.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to stay hopeful and persistent despite challenges or setbacks in their lives. Teaching them to find joy and continue growing even after difficult times.
Example Lesson: Value of Memories
Explanation: The narrative emphasizes the importance of cherishing good memories as a way to find comfort. George finds solace in remembering the happy times spent with his pet.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to keep and cherish memories of their own happy moments, which can be a source of comfort during tough times.