Markus and the Girls
#2 in Markus Series
on Goodreads (121)
What’s inside...
The book follows the humorous and charming story of thirteen-year-old Markus Simonsen, who falls in love with a different girl from his class almost every day during his first year in junior high. His best friend Sigmund helps him in his humorous pursuits, while his father offers little help, having only ever loved Markus’s late mother. Through the ups and downs, joys and fears, author Klaus Hagerup captures the essence of a normal yet unique teenager navigating his first steps into the unpredictable world of love. This is the second book in a warm, humorous series about Markus.
Discussion points
How do you think Markus felt when he was trying to make friends? Have you ever felt the same way?
What do you think about the way the girls treated Markus? What would you have done in their place?
How did Markus change by the end of the story? What do you think caused these changes?
What did you learn about friendship from this book?
If you could give Markus one piece of advice, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting the discussion, share a personal story from your childhood about friendship to create a relatable atmosphere.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story by using open-ended questions.
Link discussions to real-life scenarios by asking if they’ve experienced anything similar to Markus’s situations.
Praise your child for their insights and encourage them to elaborate on their thoughts to deepen the conversation.
Wrap up the discussion by asking your child how they might act differently in their own friendships based on Markus's experiences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: In 'Markus and the Girls', the protagonist, Markus, learns to understand and empathize with the feelings of others, especially the girls around him.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children grasp the importance of considering others' emotions and perspectives, fostering more harmonious interactions at school and at home.
Example Lesson: Confidence and self-expression
Explanation: Throughout the book, Markus struggles but ultimately learns to express himself genuinely, overcoming his fears and insecurities.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be true to themselves and confidently express their thoughts and feelings, which is crucial for their personal development and social communication.
Example Lesson: Dealing with failure
Explanation: Markus experiences setbacks in his interactions, but learns to cope with and grow from these experiences.
Real-World Application: This teaches children resilience and the ability to learn from mistakes instead of being discouraged by them, helping them navigate life’s challenges more effectively.
Example Lesson: Value of honesty
Explanation: The story portrays the complications that arise from dishonesty, and the relief and positive outcomes when Markus chooses honesty.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of being truthful in their actions and words, which helps in building trust and credibility with peers and adults alike.
Example Lesson: Importance of friendship
Explanation: Markus learns to build and value genuine friendships rather than superficial relationships.
Real-World Application: This lesson underlines the importance of caring, supportive friendships in a child’s emotional and social development.