Search for the Mountain Gorillas (Choose Your Own Adventure #25)
#41 of 1 in Choose your own adventure Series
What’s inside...
Search For The Mountain Gorillas by Jim Wallace is an interactive adventure book that takes you, a renowned environmentalist and photojournalist, on a mission to save the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda. As you navigate through the jungle, you face several challenges including poachers, wild buffaloes, and snakes. The story unfolds based on the choices you make, determining whether you can save the gorillas, find a missing local girl, or even save yourself. The book is part of the Choose Your Own Adventure series and is aimed at readers aged 9-12.
Character compass
You
Discussion points
What decisions would you make if you were the main character searching for the mountain gorillas?
How do you think the setting of the rainforest affects the story?
What have you learned about mountain gorillas and their habitat from this adventure?
How do the different endings change your feelings about the story and the characters?
What traits do you think are important for an explorer to have and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a world map or globe to locate where mountain gorillas live; it sets a tangible context for the story's setting.
Discuss the concept of 'choice' in the book and relate it to daily decisions the child makes, to draw parallels between the book and real life.
Encourage the child to predict outcomes of different choices before flipping to the next page. It reinforces critical thinking.
After reading, co-create a simple 'choose your own adventure' story with your child about a mini-adventure at home or school to deepen understanding of story structure.
Talk about wildlife conservation and discuss how learning about animals through books can help protect them.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Decision-Making
Explanation: Throughout 'Search for the Mountain Gorillas', readers make choices that influence the story’s outcomes, teaching them the impact of their decisions.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think ahead and evaluate options before making decisions, a skill essential in everyday problem-solving and critical thinking.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: The book provides opportunities to make ethical choices concerning wildlife and the environment, fostering a sense of empathy towards living creatures.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to practice kindness and understanding towards animals and people they interact with daily.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The protagonist's journey to protect mountain gorillas instills a sense of responsibility towards conservation and environmental stewardship.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in eco-friendly practices such as recycling, conserving water, or participating in local clean-up drives.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: Facing challenges and unknown situations in the story helps children understand the value of courage in overcoming fears.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to face new challenges in school or social situations with confidence and resilience.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The interactive nature of the book challenges readers to solve problems to advance the plot, developing their analytical skills.
Real-World Application: This helps children in devising creative solutions to school projects or conflicts with peers.