Stuff We All Get (Orca Currents)
Orca Currents Series
on Goodreads (82)
What’s inside...
Fifteen-year-old Zack, who has sound-color synesthesia, discovers a homemade CD labeled 'Famous' and becomes captivated by the music and the singer, Jolene. He tracks her down and offers to help her achieve her dreams of stardom, but soon learns that her pursuit of fame has had damaging consequences. The story serves as a critique of celebrity culture in North America.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
128 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the main characters' choices impact their relationships with others in the story?
What did you learn about handling peer pressure from the characters' experiences?
If you were in the same situation as the protagonist, what would you have done differently and why?
How do the themes of the book relate to your own life or experiences at school?
What are some ways the characters could have resolved their conflicts more effectively?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting the discussion, share your own thoughts on the book to create a comfortable space for open conversation.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story and its characters, whether positive or negative, to foster a deeper understanding.
Link the discussion to your child's personal experiences, asking if they ever faced similar situations and how they handled them.
Praise your child for their insights and encourage them to think critically about the different outcomes based on characters' decisions.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child's responses to keep the conversation flowing and to explore themes in greater depth.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: In 'Stuff We All Get', the protagonist learns the value of being truthful after facing consequences for dishonesty. This pivotal moment drives the story as the character grapples with the fallout of their actions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding the impact of their words and actions. Promoting honesty in their daily interactions builds trust and strengthens relationships.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: The characters in the book must work together to solve a problem, highlighting the effectiveness of teamwork. Through their cooperation, they achieve more than any of them could have individually.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to participate in group activities, whether in school projects or sports, teaching them that collective effort often leads to greater success.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and accountability
Explanation: As the story unfolds, the protagonist takes responsibility for their actions, which is a significant step towards maturity. This demonstrates the importance of owning up to one's mistakes and learning from them.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to accept responsibility for their actions and understand that their choices have consequences, fostering a sense of accountability.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters express empathy towards each other's situations, which helps resolve conflicts and deepen relationships.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in everyday life by encouraging children to consider others' feelings and perspectives, which can lead to more harmonious interactions and a better understanding of diverse viewpoints.