My Forever Friend
What’s inside...
My Forever Friend is a nonfiction short story about Sharee Goodman, a fourth grader who moves to a small town called Brickwood with her parents. As she attends Brickwood Elementary School, Sharee is on a quest to find her forever friend while grappling with mixed feelings and self-doubt. Throughout the story, Sharee embarks on an adventure of overcoming her fears and gaining self-confidence. She ultimately discovers that she had nothing to fear from the start. The narrative conveys a message about facing life’s challenges head-on, believing in oneself, and overcoming obstacles to gain control of one's life and find true friendship.
Discussion points
How did the friendship between the characters make them feel happier?
What does being a good friend mean to you?
Can you think of a time when a friend helped you like in the story?
What would you do if you were in the same situation as the characters?
Why do you think friendship is important?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use personal anecdotes about your friendships to help your child relate to the story.
Encourage your child to describe their feelings about the events in the book, and relate them to their own experiences.
Ask your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene to deepen their connection to the story.
Reinforce the morals of the story by discussing real-life applications of being a good friend.
After reading, consider role-playing a scenario from the book with your child to bring the lessons to life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of friendship
Explanation: The story revolves around two characters who explore the meaning of friendship through shared experiences and support for each other.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to build and maintain friendships by sharing, supporting, and understanding their friends in real-life situations.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The characters in the book demonstrate empathy by listening to each other’s worries and celebrating each other’s successes.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to practice empathy by being attentive and responsive to the feelings and needs of others around them.
Example Lesson: Resilience in face of challenges
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters encounter various challenges but learn to overcome them through mutual support and perseverance.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of resilience and cooperation in overcoming everyday obstacles.
Example Lesson: Appreciating differences
Explanation: The book highlights the differences between the characters and shows how these differences strengthen their friendship.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and embrace the unique qualities of each individual in their community.
Example Lesson: Loyalty and trust
Explanation: The characters display loyalty and build trust by consistently being there for each other during tough times.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the importance of being reliable and trustworthy friends in their own interactions.