Shouting at the Rain
on Goodreads (8,748)
What’s inside...
Delsie loves tracking the weather but is now experiencing turbulence in her own life. Living with her Grammy, she begins to crave a 'regular family.' Changes continue as a friend outgrows her; however, Delsie finds comfort in her supportive neighbors and new friend Ronan. Together, they navigate their personal hardships and learn important emotional lessons on Cape Cod. A New York Times Bestseller. From the author of the New York Times bestseller Fish in a Tree comes a compelling story about perspective and learning to love the family you have. Delsie loves tracking the weather--lately, though, it seems the squalls are in her own life. She's always lived with her kindhearted Grammy, but now she's looking at their life with new eyes and wishing she could have a regular family. Delsie observes other changes in the air, too--the most painful being a friend who's outgrown her. Luckily, she has neighbors with strong shoulders to support her, and Ronan, a new friend who is caring and courageous but also troubled by the losses he's endured. As Ronan and Delsie traipse around Cape Cod on their adventures, they both learn what it means to be angry versus sad, broken versus whole, and abandoned versus loved. And that, together, they can weather any storm.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-11
Length
288 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Delsie felt when she learned more about her family? Have you ever discovered something surprising about your family?
Delsie loves weather and tracking storms. What is something you are passionate about and why?
Friendship plays a big part in this story. What do you think makes a good friend? How do Delsie's relationships change throughout the book?
How do the characters in the book handle feelings of loneliness or sadness? Can you relate to any of their strategies?
What did you learn about handling tough situations from Delsie's experiences?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the book using creative methods like drawing or storytelling.
Relate discussions to your child’s personal experiences to help them connect more deeply with the themes.
Ask follow-up questions to encourage deeper thinking and understanding of the characters' emotions and decisions.
Create a comfortable and distraction-free environment to make reading and discussion times calm and focused.
Praise your child for their insights and thoughts, reinforcing their confidence in expressing their opinions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The protagonist, Delsie, deals with feelings of abandonment and learns to navigate complex family dynamics, demonstrating resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can learn that personal challenges are surmountable and that perseverance is key in overcoming difficult life circumstances.
Example Lesson: Value of Friendship
Explanation: Delsie discovers the importance of true friends who support her unconditionally, contrasting with those who leave her feeling insecure.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of choosing friends who genuinely care and support them, helping in building stronger, healthier relationships.
Example Lesson: Self-Discovery
Explanation: Throughout the story, Delsie learns more about her own identity and her place in the world, illustrating the journey of self-discovery.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to explore their own interests and passions, understanding that self-awareness is crucial for personal growth.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Delsie learns to see beyond her own situation and understand the reasons behind others' behaviors, fostering empathy.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to appreciate different perspectives and showing empathy towards others in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Acceptance of change
Explanation: The story shows Delsie learning to accept the changes in her life and environment, understanding that change can lead to new beginnings.
Real-World Application: This lesson prepares children to embrace changes in life, such as moving to a new place or changing schools, viewing them as opportunities for growth.