Red, White and Blue
#3 in Cascades Series
on Goodreads (12)
What’s inside...
Wain, a seventh-year student from a family with a military background, writes down three different versions of events to unravel the truth about himself and his family. He uses red paper for his imaginary pen friend, white for his English Project, and blue for a secret fantasy quest. The differing perspectives offer insights into difficult issues facing students starting secondary school and provide opportunities for Framework activities, making this a humorous and hard-hitting school story for the nineties.
Discussion points
What do the colors red, white, and blue represent in the story?
How do the characters in the book show kindness to one another?
Can you think of a time when you helped a friend like the characters in the story?
Why is it important to work together, as shown in the book?
How did the story make you feel and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading: Adjust your tone and pace to match the emotions and actions in the book to make the story come alive for your child.
Relate the themes to personal experiences: Share a personal story that connects with the book’s themes of collaboration, kindness, and national pride.
Ask follow-up questions: After your child responds to a question, ask them 'why' to encourage deeper thinking and understanding.
Encourage drawing or role-play: After reading, have your child draw a scene from the book or act out their favorite part to deepen their connection to the story.
Discuss the illustrations: Talk about how the colors and images used in the book help to tell the story and convey its message.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters must work together to solve challenges, demonstrating that cooperation is key to success.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or with friends, learning that collaboration can achieve great results.
Example Lesson: Respect for diversity
Explanation: The characters in the story come from various backgrounds, showing children the importance of accepting and valuing everyone's differences.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be inclusive and respectful to all their peers, regardless of their backgrounds, fostering a harmonious community environment.
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: Characters in the book face consequences for dishonesty, but positive outcomes when they tell the truth, portraying honesty as a cherished value.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to practice honesty in their daily interactions, which builds trust and integrity in their relationships.
Example Lesson: Persistence in facing challenges
Explanation: The protagonist faces setbacks but continues to strive towards their goals, illustrating the concept of persistence.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to not give up easily when faced with difficulties, whether it be in their studies, sports, or personal goals.