Mitzi Clark and the Keepers of SHUT
#1 of 3 in Mitzi Clark Series
on Goodreads (13)
What’s inside...
Everyone is keeping secrets. Knowing the truth can be dangerous. Join Mitzi and her two best friends as they uncover family secrets of a supernatural nature. Clue by clue, they work together to reveal a frightening and exciting reality, one that is far beyond their wildest dreams. The clock is ticking as they race to put the pieces of information together in time to save her parents from a devious group of monsters! As they work towards unraveling the mystery, they find themselves immersed in a web of mysteries, kidnappings, and crazy fights, all while they become the accidental heroes of their great adventure. Their lives will never be the same again.
Discussion points
What qualities do you think make someone a good keeper of secrets, like Mitzi Clark?
How do you think Mitzi felt when she had to decide whether to keep or share a secret? Have you ever felt similar?
What did you learn about trust and friendship from the story?
If you were in Mitzi's shoes, how would you handle the situation with the Keepers of SHUT?
How do you think secrets can impact relationships between friends?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the characters' decisions and relate them to their own experiences.
Discuss the moral dilemmas presented in the book and ask your child how they would react in similar situations.
Highlight the significance of trust and honesty in friendships, prompting your child to share their thoughts on these values.
Use examples from the book to discuss the consequences of keeping secrets and the importance of communication.
Foster an empathetic understanding by asking your child to consider different characters' perspectives in the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: In 'Mitzi Clark and the Keepers of SHUT', Mitzi and her friends work together to solve the mysterious puzzles they encounter. Their success is achieved through collaboration and leveraging each individual's unique strengths.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to cooperate with others in group tasks at school or during sports, understanding that every team member contributes valuable input.
Example Lesson: Courage in facing fears
Explanation: Throughout the story, Mitzi faces her fears and learns to overcome obstacles with bravery. This transformation is a central theme, illustrating how courage can lead to positive outcomes.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to tackle challenges such as trying new activities or standing up for themselves and others, showing them the benefits of facing fears head-on.
Example Lesson: The significance of honesty
Explanation: Mitzi learns the value of being truthful, even when it's difficult. This moral is highlighted when honesty leads to trust and stronger relationships among characters.
Real-World Application: Children can learn from this by practicing honesty in their interactions and seeing how it builds trust and respect in friendships and family relationships.
Example Lesson: Resilience through adversity
Explanation: The characters in the book frequently encounter setbacks, but they persist and grow because of these challenges. Resilience is portrayed as a key to overcoming difficulties.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to persevere through their own struggles, such as dealing with schoolwork difficulties or personal issues, reinforcing the idea that persistence is crucial for success.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Mitzi and her allies often succeed by understanding and empathizing with others, including those who initially oppose them. This empathy is pivotal in resolving conflicts.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to practice empathy by considering other people's feelings and viewpoints, which can lead to more harmonious interactions and conflict resolution in everyday situations.