King Midas: Independent Reading 15
Reading champion Series
on Goodreads (2)
What’s inside...
In this retelling of the Greek myth, King Midas learns what true value means when his greed robs him of everything that he holds most dear. This first color chapter book is a perfectly leveled, accessible text for Key stage 2 readers aged 9-10. Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practice and reinforce their developing reading skills. The stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and activities to provoke deeper response and encourage writing. The books are carefully graded to match a child's reading ability and encourage reading for pleasure. The Key Stage 2 Reading Champion Books are suggested for use according to different age groups ranging from age 7 to age 10+.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think King Midas learned after everything he touched turned to gold?
How do you think the story would change if King Midas could touch things without turning them into gold?
What would you do if you had the power to turn things to gold?
How did the characters' feelings change throughout the story, and why?
What does this story teach us about the importance of being careful what we wish for?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the discussion by sharing what you personally found interesting about the story and ask your child what they thought was interesting.
Encourage your child to think critically by asking them to consider how King Midas' choices impacted the other characters.
Before discussing the book’s moral, let your child express their own interpretation of the story’s message.
Relate the story to real-life scenarios by asking your child how they would handle having such a significant power and discuss the responsibilities that come with it.
Give room for creativity by asking your child to imagine a different ending to the story or create a new character that could have influenced King Midas' decisions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The consequences of greed
Explanation: King Midas' wish for everything he touches to turn to gold initially seems like a blessing, but soon becomes a curse as he can't eat or touch his loved ones.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of valuing what they have and the potential negative effects of being greedy.
Example Lesson: Understanding true value
Explanation: As the story progresses, King Midas realizes that gold cannot replace the real treasures in life, such as family and health.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to appreciate non-materialistic aspects of life and to cherish human relationships over material wealth.
Example Lesson: The power of redemption
Explanation: King Midas is eventually given a chance to reverse his wish, showing that mistakes can be corrected if one has genuine remorse.
Real-World Application: Children learn that it’s possible to mend errors if they acknowledge their mistakes and work to set things right.
Example Lesson: The importance of thoughtful decision-making
Explanation: The story highlights how a decision made without deep thought can lead to unforeseeable consequences.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to think carefully before making decisions and to consider the potential impacts of their choices.