My Week with Him
on Goodreads (1,542)
What’s inside...
Nikki has a strained relationship with her mother and finds herself homeless at the start of spring break. She plans to leave Texas and move to California to pursue her dream of a music career, but her best friend Malachai convinces her to spend spring break with him in Texas to change her mind. During their time together, Nikki's little sister goes missing, which forces Nikki to confront her feelings about her family and Malachai. Throughout the ordeal, Nikki discovers the love and reasons she's been seeking to stay in Texas.
Age
13-17
Length
400 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the main character's feelings change throughout the week and why do you think they changed?
What were some of the challenges the main character faced and how did they overcome them?
Can you think of a time when you felt similar to the main character? What happened and how did you feel?
What did the main character learn by the end of the week? How do you think this lesson could help you?
If you could give the main character some advice at the start of the week, what would you tell them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your own thoughts about the book, encouraging your child to express their own opinions without fear of judgement.
Ask your child to summarize the story in their own words to gauge their understanding and to spark discussion points.
Create a comfortable, distraction-free environment to make the discussion feel special and important.
Use follow-up questions to dig deeper into your child’s responses, showing genuine interest in their thoughts and helping them expand their ideas.
Relate discussions to your child's personal experiences, which can help them connect more deeply with the book’s themes and messages.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The narrative revolves around a young protagonist who spends a week learning about the life and struggles of another character. This journey illustrates the importance of understanding people from different walks of life.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by showing more consideration and understanding towards their friends and classmates who may be different from them.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Throughout the week, the protagonist undertakes various tasks that require them to be responsible and accountable. This aspect of the story highlights the significance of taking ownership of one's actions.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to take care of their belongings, complete their homework on time, and be responsible in their daily tasks.
Example Lesson: The value of friendship
Explanation: The book portrays the development of a deep friendship despite initial differences, teaching the importance of building strong, supportive relationships.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to nurture and value their friendships, understanding that true friends are supportive and kind regardless of circumstances.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving Skills
Explanation: The characters in the story face several challenges that they need to solve together. These scenarios emphasize the importance of critical thinking and teamwork.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to approach challenges with a problem-solving mindset, working collaboratively with others to find solutions.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: As the protagonist spends the week in a new environment, they learn to adapt to different situations, showcasing flexibility and resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be adaptable by being open to new experiences and changes in their routine, helping them to thrive in diverse settings.