Knights' Tales: The Knight of Swords and Spooks (Terry Deary's Historical Tales)
Terry Deary's Knights' Tales Series
What’s inside...
From the bestselling author of Horrible Histories, named 'the outstanding children's non-fiction author of the 20th century' by Books For Keeps. England, 1485: The future of England is uncertain, the king's allies might really be his enemies, and poor young George is stuck in the crossfire. Held hostage by King Richard III, all George wants to do is become a noble knight. Can he and his servant Robin survive in the cut-throat world of medieval battles, betrayals, and suspicious kings? A strange and exciting tale, based on a real medieval knight, this story is full of Terry Deary's dark humour and dry wit. 'Bubbling with wit, language play, and robust dialogue...just the right mix of ingredients to trigger young readers' interest in all things historical.' - Books For Keeps
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What qualities do you think make a good knight? How did the characters in the book display these qualities?
Why do you think the Knight of Swords and Spooks faced the challenges he did? What can we learn from how he handled them?
How do the settings in the story affect the adventures? Can you imagine how different the story might be in a different setting?
What role do friendships play in this story? How do the characters help or hinder each other?
If you could ask the Knight of Swords one question, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Utilize open-ended questions that require more than a yes or no answer to encourage your child to think deeply about the themes and characters.
Relate themes from the book to personal experiences or current events to make the conversation more relevant and engaging.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative scenarios or endings to further explore creative thinking and storytelling skills.
Praise your child’s responses and build on their ideas to boost their confidence in expressing their thoughts and opinions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of adversity
Explanation: Throughout the story, the protagonist faces various challenges and threats but demonstrates bravery and resilience. This is portrayed as he confronts scary situations bravely.
Real-World Application: Children learn to stand up for themselves and others, even when situations seem daunting or frightening. This can help them tackle tough situations at school or in social settings.
Example Lesson: The importance of wit and intelligence
Explanation: The Knight of Swords uses his cleverness to solve problems and navigate tricky situations, rather than relying solely on physical strength.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their brains to think critically and solve problems, which can be applied in academic pursuits or in resolving everyday conflicts.
Example Lesson: Understanding the consequences of one's actions
Explanation: Characters in the book face the results of their decisions, which teaches the reader about responsibility and accountability.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that their actions have consequences, guiding them to make more thoughtful decisions and to learn from their mistakes.
Example Lesson: The value of teamwork
Explanation: The characters often collaborate to overcome obstacles, emphasizing that teamwork often leads to success.
Real-World Application: This can be translated into a child's life by encouraging cooperative play and teaching the importance of working together in group settings such as school projects or sports.
Example Lesson: Respect for history and culture
Explanation: The setting and plot incorporate elements of historical context, which enrich the tale and provide a learning opportunity about the past.
Real-World Application: This nurtures a respect and interest in history and different cultures, motivating children to learn more about the world and its diverse heritage.