Spit Feathers (Lobster Chronicles)
#3 in Lobster Chronicles Series
on Goodreads (10)
What’s inside...
Ferguson is trying to help his grandfather define his legacy by not repeating the regrets of his old friend McDermit, who caught a giant lobster but regretted not returning it to sea. When another giant lobster is caught and auctioned, Ferguson and his grandfather plan to bid on it and set it free. This act could become his grandfather's legacy unless the town's richest man interferes. 'Spit Feathers' is the third book in 'The Lobster Chronicles' series, where three boys in a coastal town experience life changes when a giant lobster is caught. Each book offers the events from a different boy's perspective, creating suspenseful and engaging narratives.
Discussion points
How do you think Clara felt when she found the mysterious message in the bottle? What would you do if you found a similar message?
What lessons do you think Clara learned during her adventures on the island? Can you think of a time when you learned something important from an experience?
Why is it important to help others, like Clara helped the people she met in the story?
If you were part of Clara’s adventure, what ideas would you have given her to solve the mysteries around the island?
How do the different characters in the book show courage and teamwork? Can you give examples from your own life where teamwork was important?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use open-ended questions to encourage your child to think deeply about the plot and characters. Relate themes from the book back to your child’s personal experiences to make the discussion more relatable. Highlight the importance of resilience, courage, and helping others as demonstrated by Clara and her friends. Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story and think about how they might react in similar situations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: In 'Spit Feathers', the main character and their friends must work together to solve the mystery, demonstrating that teamwork can lead to success.
Real-World Application: Children learn to cooperate with others, share responsibilities, and solve problems collaboratively in school projects or group activities.
Example Lesson: Valuing honesty
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters face choices where they must be honest, showing that honesty is crucial in building trust and resolving conflicts.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be truthful in their daily interactions and understand the impact of honesty on relationships.
Example Lesson: Coping with change
Explanation: The characters in 'Spit Feathers' experience several changes in their environment and relationships, teaching kids to adapt to new situations.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand that change is a part of life, teaching them to adapt to new schools, friends, or family dynamics.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: The plot involves figuring out clues and navigating challenges, which illustrates effective problem-solving methods.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to apply logical thinking and creativity to overcome obstacles in their academic tasks or personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding others
Explanation: As characters interact and face various personal dilemmas, readers see the importance of understanding different perspectives.
Real-World Application: This lesson can guide children in empathizing with peers, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment in their communities.