Pocket Chillers Year 5 Horror Fiction: Terror in the Tower
Pocket Chillers Series
What’s inside...
Engross your young reader with 'Terror in the Tower,' a spine-tingling tale from the Pocket Chillers series by Chris Powling. Designed specifically for Year 5 students, this horror fiction book amps up the thrill while boosting reading confidence. It weaves a gripping story of mystery and suspense, perfect for engaging children and fostering a love for reading. A fantastic choice for nurturing your child's literacy skills and preparing them for more complex texts. Pocket Chillers is part of Pocket Reads, a superb collection of quality books that really capture children's imaginations! Pocket Reads have fantastic breadth and variety of genre, with Pocket Facts, Pocket Tales and Pocket Sci-Fi making up the rest of the collection of independent readers. The fiction books are beautifully illustrated and are guaranteed to appeal to even the most reluctant of readers. The non-fiction readers are equally as stunning and will captivate and excite children with fascinating facts. The 105 pocket-sized fiction and non-fiction readers have each been carefully levelled to the National Curriculum and Book-Banded to ensure children make progression. You can therefore be assured that every reading experience is one that counts.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-11
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What feelings did you experience while reading about the events in the tower? Can you describe them?
Which character did you relate to the most and why?
What do you think is the main message of the story?
How would you have reacted if you were in the same situation as the characters in the tower?
Can you think of a different ending for the story? What would you change?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings and thoughts about the story without interrupting them. This promotes open communication. Highlight the significance of facing fears and ask how they handle scary or unknown situations. Relate the story's themes to real-life events to make the discussion more tangible. Praise your child’s insights and creative ideas during the discussion to boost their confidence and engagement.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of fear
Explanation: The story revolves around characters facing eerie and frightening situations in a haunted tower, demonstrating bravery as they confront their fears.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own fears and understand that being brave doesn’t mean they aren’t afraid, but rather that they can overcome their fear to handle challenging situations.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving under pressure
Explanation: As the characters encounter various obstacles in the tower, they must think quickly and creatively to navigate their way through.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of staying calm and using their intellect to solve problems, even when under stress.
Example Lesson: The value of teamwork
Explanation: The characters often rely on each other's strengths and work together to escape the dangers of the tower.
Real-World Application: This emphasizes to children how collaboration and supporting each other can help overcome difficulties that might seem insurmountable alone.
Example Lesson: Understanding and overcoming superstitions
Explanation: The plot explores themes of myths and supernatural beliefs, guiding characters (and readers) to distinguish between fiction and reality.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to question and critically evaluate irrational beliefs or superstitions, promoting a more rational approach to their understanding of the world.
Example Lesson: Resilience through adversities
Explanation: Despite numerous setbacks, the characters persist in their quest, showcasing resilience.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to maintain determination and perseverance, no matter the setbacks they encounter in different aspects of their lives.