It Only Looks Easy (Single Titles)
on Goodreads (454)
What’s inside...
In books, when you read something like, everything is great, you just know that something terrible is about to happen. But in real life, you can miss the warnings. And then, wham, slam, sneak attack. Everything skids out of control. Before the first day of seventh grade is over, Kat Randall's year is nearly ruined. When her beloved dog, Cheddar, is run over by a woman with Alzheimer's disease, Kat reacts impulsively, leaving school on a borrowed bike to get to the vet. Then the bike gets stolen. Kat often does the wrong thing for the right reason, but now she has gone from being a person you can count on to someone you probably shouldn't. Suddenly she is looked at differently by everyone at school--even the police are keeping an eye on her. If one of the best years of her life starts out like this, what's next?
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
192 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did Kat's relationship with her dog, Cheddar, change after the accident?
What are some of the ways Kat demonstrates resilience throughout the story?
Why is it important to have supportive friends like Tracey during challenging times?
How did Kat handle bullying and what can you learn from her response?
What role do you think empathy plays in this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book’s events, fostering emotional intelligence. Highlight the importance of resilience and support networks by drawing parallels to their own experiences. Discuss the impact of empathy and understanding towards others, reinforcing social and emotional learning. Use personal experiences or current events to make the book's themes more relatable and impactful.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The protagonist, Kat, deals with her beloved dog being hit by a car and helps a new student who is misunderstood by others. These experiences teach her to be more empathetic and considerate.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of understanding others' feelings and situations, which helps them develop better relationships and social skills.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Kat shows resilience as she navigates the challenges of her dog’s accident and her own academic struggles.
Real-World Application: This lesson equips children with the mindset to persevere through their own challenges, whether it's difficulties in school or personal setbacks.
Example Lesson: The value of friendship
Explanation: Throughout the book, the support of Kat's friends plays a crucial role in her overcoming various challenges, highlighting the importance of supportive relationships.
Real-World Application: It teaches children to nurture friendships and be supportive friends themselves, which is essential for social development and emotional support.
Example Lesson: Courage to confront bullying
Explanation: Kat stands up to a bully in defense of her new friend, demonstrating bravery and integrity.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of standing up against wrongdoings and supporting those who are being mistreated.
Example Lesson: Importance of family support
Explanation: Kat's family provides a supportive backdrop as she deals with her personal and academic issues, showing how vital a loving family is during tough times.
Real-World Application: This highlights for children how leaning on family during difficulties can provide emotional strength and stability.