The Bad Guys in Cut to the Chase (The Bad Guys #13) (13)
#13 of 20 in The Bad Guys Series
on Goodreads (1,783)
What’s inside...
NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE! 'I wish I'd had these books as a kid. Hilarious!' -- Dav Pilkey, creator of Captain Underpants and Dog Man. They may look like Bad Guys, but these wannabe heroes are doing good deeds... whether you like it or not in this New York Times bestselling illustrated series. A MYSTERIOUS DOORWAY! (Sure, it's in the grossest restaurant in the world, but that doesn't make it any less mysterious. OK?) Behold! What lies beyond?! An evil centipede? An alternate universe? A few decent explanations? VRRRING! NING! NING! NING! Hey, was that a CHAINSAW?! Let's see if you can read and run at the same time... GO! It's the Bad Guys' next adventure!
Discussion points
What do you think makes someone a 'bad guy'? Can a 'bad guy' also do good things?
How do the characters in the book work together to solve problems? What can we learn from them about teamwork?
What was the most surprising part of the story for you? Why did it surprise you?
How do you think the story would change if it was told from a different character’s perspective?
If you could give one piece of advice to any of the characters, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts on the book’s events and characters without fearing right or wrong answers; this builds confidence and critical thinking.
Use pauses after each question to give your child time to think and articulate their responses; this enhances focus and comprehension skills.
Relate the book’s themes to real-life scenarios that your child might encounter to help them apply the lessons learned.
Highlight the importance of different perspectives by discussing how each character contributes uniquely to the story; this fosters empathy and understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: Throughout the story, the characters must work together to solve problems and overcome obstacles, demonstrating the importance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to cooperate with peers in school projects or team sports, understanding that collective effort often leads to success.
Example Lesson: Importance of second chances
Explanation: The protagonists, who are typically viewed as 'bad guys,' strive to do good deeds, illustrating that everyone deserves a chance to change and make things right.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of forgiveness and the possibility of personal transformation, encouraging them to give others a second chance in real-life situations.
Example Lesson: Courage to face fears
Explanation: Characters in the book often face frightening situations, but they learn to bravely confront their fears, highlighting the theme of courage.
Real-World Application: Children learn that it's okay to be scared and that facing their fears, whether it’s trying out new activities or standing up for themselves, is a part of growing up.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and problem-solving
Explanation: The story encourages characters to think critically and devise creative solutions to escape tricky situations.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to apply problem-solving skills in their daily life, from working out disagreements with friends to overcoming academic challenges.
Example Lesson: The power of humor
Explanation: The book uses humor to engage readers and diffuse tense scenarios, showing how laughter can be a powerful tool in dealing with challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to use humor as a coping mechanism to navigate through difficult times and to connect with others, making life's challenges more manageable and enjoyable.