Small Town Monsters (Underlined Paperbacks)
#1 of 15 in Underlined Paperbacks Series
on Goodreads (1,492)
What’s inside...
Vera Martinez, eager to leave Roaring Creek and her family's demonologist reputation behind, struggles as the family outcast without her parents' abilities and fears the occult lurking in their basement. Meanwhile, Maxwell Oliver's summer before senior year is consumed by caring for his sister as his mother's behavior becomes unrecognizable, hinting at something more sinister than grief from his father's death. When Maxwell and Vera team up, they uncover chilling true stories of cults, death worship, and the driving forces of evil.
Discussion points
What do you think about the way Vera, the main character, handles the strange happenings in her town?
How did the different friendships in the story affect the way events unfolded?
What would you do if you were in Vera's place and encountered a monster?
How do the small town setting and its secrets contribute to the suspense in the story?
What lessons can we learn about bravery and fear from the characters in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in Vera’s shoes to deepen their understanding of character decision-making. Use the mysterious and spooky elements of the story to captivate your child's imagination, prompting them to predict future events or construct their own monster mysteries. Highlight the dynamics of Vera’s relationships to discuss the importance of trust and cooperation in overcoming challenges. Lastly, relate the themes of the book to personal experiences to make the conversation more relevant and engaging for your child.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The protagonist, Vera, develops a deep understanding of the monsters, realizing they are not merely evil beings but complex characters with motivations and emotions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to understand and empathize with people who may seem different, encouraging inclusivity and compassion in their interactions.
Example Lesson: Courage and resilience
Explanation: Throughout the story, Vera confronts various challenges and learns to overcome her fears, showcasing bravery and perseverance.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of facing their fears and the value of persistence, which can be applied when dealing with challenges at school or in personal development.
Example Lesson: Importance of friendship
Explanation: Vera's relationships with other characters in the book highlight the importance of trust, support, and teamwork in overcoming obstacles.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to build and maintain supportive friendships, understanding how collaboration and mutual support can help solve problems.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking
Explanation: Vera investigates and uncovers truths about the monsters, demonstrating the importance of not accepting things at face value and using reasoning to make informed decisions.
Real-World Application: This promotes critical thinking in children, encouraging them to ask questions, seek out information, and make reasoned decisions in their everyday lives.
Example Lesson: Acceptance of differences
Explanation: The narrative promotes accepting and coexisting with those who are different, as represented by the diverse group of characters, including the monsters.
Real-World Application: Children learn to embrace diversity and understand that everyone’s differences contribute to a rich and varied society.