Porch Lies: Tales of Slicksters, Tricksters, and Other Wily Characters
on Goodreads (199)
What’s inside...
Side-splittingly funny and spine-chillingly spooky, this companion to the Newbery Honor–winning anthology The Dark Thirty is filled with captivating tales and charismatic bad characters. From the engaging author's note reflecting on McKissack's childhood listening to stories, to the lively introductions setting the stage for each story, and finally to the ten enthralling tales themselves, this collection serves as a worthy successor to The Dark-Thirty. Highlights include 'The Best Lie Ever Told,' where trickster Dooley Hunter tells a tall tale at a contest, 'Aunt Gran and the Outlaws,' where a cunning old lady outwits Frank and Jesse James, and 'Cake Norris Lives On,' featuring a man rumored to have died multiple times.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
160 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think motivates the tricksters in the stories to play their tricks?
How do the characters in the book react to being tricked? What would you do in their place?
Which story was your favorite and why?
Can you think of a time when someone tried to trick you? How did you handle it?
What lesson do you think each story is trying to teach us?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices for different characters to make the stories more vivid and engaging.
After reading each tale, pause and ask your child how they feel about the actions of the characters.
Encourage your child to guess what might happen next in the story to keep them thinking actively.
Relate the stories to real-life situations by discussing similar experiences you or your child might have had.
Highlight the moral or lesson in each story and discuss its importance with your child.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of discernment
Explanation: Through tales of tricksters and slicksters, children learn the value of discerning truth from deception.
Real-World Application: Helps children develop critical thinking skills, which are vital in navigating real-life situations and interactions effectively.
Example Lesson: Consequences of one's actions
Explanation: Characters in the stories often face consequences based on their choices, highlighting the moral that every action has a reaction.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to consider the potential outcomes of their actions and encourages responsible decision-making.
Example Lesson: Value of storytelling
Explanation: The book celebrates the tradition of oral storytelling, demonstrating how stories can entertain, educate, and convey morals.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to share their own stories and experiences, enhancing their communication skills and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Creativity and imagination
Explanation: The fantastical elements and clever resolutions in the tales stimulate creative thinking and imagination.
Real-World Application: Fosters creativity which can be applied in problem-solving and expressive activities in daily life.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: By exploring the perspectives of both tricksters and those they deceive, the stories foster a sense of empathy and understanding towards others.
Real-World Application: Helps children appreciate different viewpoints and develop deeper social connections.