Pocket Chillers Year 6 Horror Fiction: Book 1 - The Dying Candles
Pocket Chillers Series
What’s inside...
In 'The Dying Candles', readers are taken on a chilling adventure where a group of friends discover ancient candles with mysterious powers. As they explore further, they encounter eerie occurrences that challenge their bravery and the strength of their friendship. Pocket Chillers is part of the Pocket Reads collection, which includes a wide variety of engaging books designed to captivate children's imaginations. The collection features beautifully illustrated fiction books and fascinating non-fiction books, all carefully leveled to the National Curriculum and Book-Banded to ensure progression in reading.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
10-12
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the atmosphere in the story make you feel, and what elements in the book helped create that feeling?
What do you think the main characters learned by the end of the story?
If you were in the story, what would you have done differently and why?
What was the most suspenseful part of the book for you, and why did it feel that way?
How do you think the title 'The Dying Candles' relates to the overall story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to describe the setting and characters. This helps them recall details and enhances comprehension.
Ask your child how the story made them feel and why. Link their personal emotions to the story’s events to deepen their understanding.
Discuss the decisions made by the characters. This not only promotes critical thinking but also empathy by putting themselves in the characters' shoes.
Explore the title's significance together after finishing the book. It can lead to a creative discussion about symbolism and deeper meanings within the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of fear
Explanation: The characters in 'The Dying Candles' confront supernatural entities and eerie situations, demonstrating bravery despite their fear.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to manage their own fears and demonstrate bravery, whether facing a dark room at night or standing up in class to answer a question.
Example Lesson: The power of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters must work together to solve mysteries and overcome challenges posed by the haunting scenarios.
Real-World Application: This book will teach children the importance of collaborating with others to achieve common goals, which can be applied in group projects at school or in team sports.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and problem-solving
Explanation: The protagonists encounter puzzles that they need to solve to progress in their adventure, using their wits and logical reasoning.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills in their daily life, helping them tackle homework assignments or resolve conflicts with peers.