Secrets and Dreams
Café Club Series
on Goodreads (14)
What’s inside...
The girls are on holiday and out for some fun! Tash, Leah, Andy, Fen, Luce, and Jaimini make the most of a wintery week away in the Christmas holidays. Each of them has different experiences: Tash is convinced her room is haunted, Leah finds herself in love, Andy makes some great new friends but worries Fen as she might be getting in too deep. Luce is enamored by the Christmas pantomime, and Jaimini unexpectedly gets a lucky break.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-12
Length
192 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the main characters dream about, and why?
How do the secrets in the story affect the relationships between characters?
If you had a secret like one in the book, would you share it with someone? Who and why?
What have you learned about trust and friendship from this story?
How might the story have ended differently if there were no secrets?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, maintain an open and non-judgmental tone to make your child feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings.
Ask your child to relate the situations in the book to their own life experiences, which can provide deeper insights and personal connections to the story’s themes.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative scenarios or endings based on different decisions made by the characters, enhancing their critical thinking.
Discuss the emotions of different characters at various points in the story, and ask your child how they might feel in similar situations, fostering empathy and emotional understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The power of honesty
Explanation: In 'Secrets and Dreams', the protagonist learns the importance of being truthful even when it is difficult. The story demonstrates how honesty can resolve conflicts and lead to trust-building.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding that being honest improves relationships and can prevent misunderstandings in their everyday interactions with friends and family.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship
Explanation: As the characters in the book face various challenges, the story highlights how working together and supporting each other helps them overcome difficulties. This teaches the significance of maintaining strong friendships.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to positively contribute to friendships by being supportive and cooperative, skills that are essential for collaboration in school and other social settings.
Example Lesson: Courage to face fears
Explanation: The protagonist confronts fears and learns to overcome them, teaching the reader about bravery and resilience.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to tackle their own fears, whether it’s trying out for a team, standing up in class, or dealing with a tough situation at home.
Example Lesson: Importance of empathy
Explanation: Through interactions with different characters, the book illustrates the importance of understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be more empathetic towards their peers, which can foster a kinder, more inclusive environment at home and in school.
Example Lesson: Perseverance leads to achievement
Explanation: As characters in 'Secrets and Dreams' persist through their personal challenges, the narrative shows that perseverance is key to achieving goals.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the value of persisting with their homework, practicing a musical instrument, or any other task, reinforcing the idea that dedication leads to success.