Major Detours: A Choices Novel
Health choices Series
on Goodreads (485)
What’s inside...
All roads lead back to you in this mystical YA about the powers of friendship, self-discovery, and tarot. Before heading their separate ways for college, four best friends -- Amelia, Chase, Cleo, and Logan -- decide to take an occult-centered road trip inspired by Amelia's grandma and the unique tarot deck she and Chase inherited from her. However, their trip full of visiting occult shops, bonding and sightseeing, takes a major detour as the friends discover that their tarot deck is more valuable -- and coveted -- than they could've ever imagined. As the friends race to finish this mystical scavenger-hunt across the West coast and uncover the mysteries of their tarot deck, it is you who will decide where to go next, how to handle Chase and Amelia's friendships and romantic interests, and how the story will end. With an alternating dual narrative and black-and-white illustrations included throughout, readers will move forward through the plot (no jumping back and forth) by making a combination of character-focused and plot-focused decisions that will offer four possible final and romantic endings. For fans of classic choose-your-own-adventures, tarot, and speculative fiction, this unique interactive novel offers readers a chance to step into the shoes of the characters and, with the different endings, encourage them to go back and reread to discover how things could have been different.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-13
Length
320 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What decisions would you make if you were in the shoes of the characters in 'Major Detours'?
How do you think the choices made by the characters affected their journeys?
What did you learn about friendship and challenges from this story?
Which character did you relate to the most and why?
How do you think the story would change if different choices were made at key points?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before discussing, ensure your child has a comfortable understanding of the plot and characters to fully engage in the conversation.
Encourage your child to express their opinions and feelings about the choices made by characters, reinforcing that all perspectives are valid.
Link discussions to real-life scenarios, asking your child how they might use the lessons from the book in their own life.
Highlight the importance of decision-making and the potential consequences, relating it back to the story for practical understanding.
Praise your child for their insights and ensure an open, non-judgmental platform for them to share their thoughts.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of decision-making
Explanation: In 'Major Detours', the interactive narrative allows readers to make choices for the protagonist, emphasizing the consequences of decisions.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think critically about the choices they face in daily life, understanding that their decisions have impacts.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding diverse perspectives
Explanation: The story presents situations where the protagonist encounters diverse characters, encouraging readers to consider different viewpoints.
Real-World Application: This helps children develop empathy as they interact with peers from various backgrounds, promoting inclusiveness and understanding.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and accountability
Explanation: As the narrative unfolds based on the reader’s choices, it teaches that one must take responsibility for their actions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by taking ownership of their actions in school projects or family responsibilities, learning accountability.
Example Lesson: Resilience in facing challenges
Explanation: The protagonist deals with unexpected events and outcomes, teaching readers to adapt and persevere.
Real-World Application: This lesson prepares children to face academic challenges and personal obstacles with a resilient mindset.
Example Lesson: The value of curiosity and exploration
Explanation: The plot encourages exploring different paths and outcomes, fostering a sense of adventure and curiosity.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to explore new interests and hobbies, and to be curious learners in their everyday exploration of the world.