Room Towerandother Level 2 (Penguin Joint Venture Readers)
Penguin Joint Venture Readers S. Series
on Goodreads (131)
What’s inside...
Three stories, three ghosts: a picture in a tower depicts a dangerous woman; a young woman marries an older man and arrives at his house, only to find that his dead wife is still there; and a dead man walks through a house every night, because sometimes the dead do come back. 'Penguin Readers' is a series of simplified novels, film novelizations and original titles that introduce students at all levels to the pleasures of reading in English. Originally designed for teaching English as a foreign language, the series' combination of high interest level and low reading age makes it suitable for both English-speaking teenagers with limited reading skills and students of English as a second language. Many titles in the series also provide access to the pre-20th century literature strands of the National Curriculum English Orders. 'Penguin Readers' are graded at seven levels of difficulty, from 'Easystarts' with a 200-word vocabulary, to Level 6 (Advanced) with a 3000-word vocabulary. In addition, titles fall into one of three sub-categories: 'Contemporary', 'Classics' or 'Originals'. At the end of each book there is a section of enjoyable exercises focusing on vocabulary building, comprehension, discussion and writing. Some titles in the series are available with an accompanying audio cassette, or in a book and cassette pack. Additionally, selected titles have free accompanying 'Penguin Readers Factsheets' which provide stimulating exercise material for students, as well as suggestions for teachers on how to exploit the Readers in class.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think about the different rooms in the tower? Which one was your favorite and why?
How did the characters in the story feel when they encountered challenges? Can you relate to any of their feelings?
If you could add one more room to the tower, what would it be like and what purpose would it serve?
What lessons did the characters learn by the end of the story? How do you think these lessons could apply to your life?
How did the story’s setting in a tower influence the events? Can you imagine the story happening in a different place?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to describe each room in the tower and share what they liked or did not like about it. This helps them develop descriptive and opinion-forming skills.
Discuss the emotions of the characters during pivotal moments in the book. Encourage your child to express times they have felt similarly, fostering empathy and self-awareness.
Invite your child to be creative by imagining their own room in the story’s tower. Ask them to explain the design and function of their room, which stimulates creativity and planning skills.
Reflect on the moral or lessons learned in the story. Discuss how these lessons can be applied to everyday scenarios in your child’s life, which helps them relate literature to real-world situations.
Talk about how the setting of the tower impacts the narrative. Ask your child if they think the story would change if set in another place, enhancing their analytical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding diversity
Explanation: Through encounters with various characters and settings, the book shows how different individuals live and think.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to embrace diversity in their everyday interactions and learn from the unique perspectives of others.
Example Lesson: Importance of courage and resourcefulness
Explanation: Characters in the book often face challenges that they overcome through bravery and quick thinking.
Real-World Application: Inspires children to handle difficulties with courage and to use their ingenuity in problem-solving scenarios at school or in social situations.
Example Lesson: Value of cooperation
Explanation: The stories highlight how characters work together to solve problems or achieve common goals.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of teamwork and cooperation in accomplishing shared objectives, whether in class projects or family tasks.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: The backdrop of diverse natural settings instills an appreciation and respect for the environment.
Real-World Application: Motivates children to engage in environmentally friendly activities and to respect and protect the natural world around them.
Example Lesson: Moral reflection and ethics
Explanation: Through the consequences of the characters' actions, the book instills lessons on right and wrong.
Real-World Application: Helps children develop a moral compass and apply ethical considerations to their decisions and interactions.