Hannah's Winter of Hope (Pioneer Daughters)
#3 in Pioneer Daughters Series
What’s inside...
The third book in the Pioneer Daughter series follows the hardships of Hannah and her family during the winter of 1780. After the British burned down their house, they have been living in a one-room shed. When they receive news that Hannah's brother Ben, a soldier, has been captured by the British, Hannah tries to distract herself by making candles and helping to rebuild their home. However, her worries for her brother persist until a stranger arrives with unexpected news.
Discussion points
How do you think Hannah felt when she moved to a new place? Have you ever felt the same way?
What did Hannah learn from her experiences during the winter? What have you learned from a challenging time in your life?
Why do you think friendship and community are important in the story? How do they affect Hannah's winter of hope?
Hannah and her family show a lot of courage throughout their hardships. Can you share a time when you had to be brave?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the discussion by sharing your own experiences related to the themes of change, perseverance, and community from the book. Encourage your child to draw parallels between their life and Hannah’s experiences. Be open and attentive, showing genuine interest in their thoughts and feelings. Praise their insights to boost their confidence in expressing their views.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Hannah experiences many challenges as a pioneer daughter, such as harsh winters and scarce resources. Despite these obstacles, she remains hopeful and resourceful.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of staying positive and resourceful when facing difficult situations in their own lives, whether it's dealing with a challenging school project or personal setbacks.
Example Lesson: Value of family and community
Explanation: Throughout the story, Hannah relies on and contributes to her family and wider community to overcome the harsh conditions they face together.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of teamwork and supporting each other in family and community settings, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual aid.
Example Lesson: Importance of hard work and determination
Explanation: Hannah's daily responsibilities and the efforts she puts into helping her family survive the winter highlight the themes of dedication and perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of hard work and persistence in achieving goals, applicable in schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and personal hobbies.
Example Lesson: Historical empathy and understanding
Explanation: The book immerses readers in the life of a pioneer family, promoting an understanding of historical experiences and the struggles of people from the past.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to develop empathy and a deeper appreciation for history, shaping how they perceive and interact with diverse narratives and cultures.
Example Lesson: Creativity in problem-solving
Explanation: Hannah often has to come up with creative solutions to manage with limited resources during the winter.
Real-World Application: This instills in children the ability to think creatively when solving their own problems, whether in academic tasks or in social scenarios.