Me, Penelope
on Goodreads (187)
What’s inside...
Sixteen-year-old Penelope Yeager wants to leave high school early, get her driver's license, fall in love, and see her mother happy while forgetting a traumatic event from ten years ago. As she navigates her desires, she learns that achieving her goals is not as easy as she hoped. Her mother, Vivian, presents a facade of happiness while battling her own demons, complicating Penelope's journey towards self-discovery and contentment.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
13-14
Length
208 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Penelope felt when she faced new challenges? Can you relate to her feelings?
What are some ways Penelope tried to solve her problems? What would you have done in her situation?
Penelope meets different characters throughout the book. Who was your favorite and why?
How did Penelope change from the beginning to the end of the story?
If you could give Penelope one piece of advice, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about Penelope’s journey, reinforcing that it’s okay to face challenges and ask for help.
Discuss the different characters with your child, asking them to imagine and describe alternate scenarios or endings for the story.
Ask your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene, using it as a prompt to discuss the emotions and themes of that moment.
Create a playful atmosphere by mimicking the character voices, making the story more engaging and enjoyable for your child.
After reading, connect the story's themes to real-life situations your child might encounter, helping them apply the lessons from the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Self-Identity Exploration
Explanation: Throughout 'Me, Penelope', the protagonist Penelope examines her own personal thoughts and feelings, chronically questioning and forming her sense of self.
Real-World Application: Children can use Penelope’s journey as a model for understanding and embracing their own unique qualities and preferences, promoting self-confidence and self-awareness.
Example Lesson: Importance of Emotional Expression
Explanation: Penelope copes with various life events by expressing herself in different forms, including writing in her diary.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to express their emotions through creative outlets like writing, drawing, or speaking, helping them process their feelings healthily.
Example Lesson: Navigating Relationships
Explanation: The protagonist navigates complex relationships with friends and family, learning valuable interpersonal skills.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of communication and empathy in maintaining relationships, skills critical in everyday interactions and building lasting bonds.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Decisions
Explanation: Penelope makes several decisions throughout the book, each with consequences that affect her and others, teaching her responsibility.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that their choices have impacts and to think about the outcomes of their actions before making decisions.
Example Lesson: Resilience in Facing Changes
Explanation: As Penelope faces various changes in her life, including shifts in her social circle and family dynamics, she learns to adapt and remain positive.
Real-World Application: It teaches children that change is a part of life and that being adaptable and resilient are important traits for facing new challenges and circumstances.