The Clue In The Corn Maze (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)
#101 of 164 in The Boxcar Children Series
What’s inside...
The Aldens find themselves right in the middle of an Iowa cornfield and a brand-new mystery! The children visit a farm that's famous for its wonderful corn maze. Every year the maze is open to visitors, and there's even a festival! But who is damaging the maze at night? Can the Boxcar Children catch the culprit and save the festival?
Discussion points
What do you think made the corn maze such a mysterious place for the characters to explore?
How do the characters work together to solve the clues in the maze? Can you think of a time when you had to work together with friends to solve a problem?
What was your favorite clue from the story and why?
How do you think the characters felt when they were trying to find their way through the maze? Have you ever felt the same way?
If you could add one more twist or clue to the corn maze, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to connect the book to their own experiences, such as a time they visited a maze or worked on a group project, to make the discussion more relatable.
Ask open-ended questions to encourage your child to think deeply about the story and its themes, rather than just recalling events.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and problem-solving as depicted in the book, highlighting how each character contributed to solving the mystery.
Create a fun and relaxed environment for discussion, perhaps by recreating a small 'maze' at home with pillows or furniture, to make the experience more interactive and engaging.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: The characters in the book work together to solve the mystery of the corn maze, demonstrating the importance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by collaborating with peers on group projects or team sports, learning to value each member's contribution.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Throughout the story, the characters face various challenges and puzzles that they need to solve to progress in the maze, emphasizing critical thinking and problem solving.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children approach their own challenges methodically, whether in academic tasks or personal endeavors, enhancing their analytical skills.
Example Lesson: Respect for different opinions
Explanation: The characters often have different ideas about how to navigate the maze, and they learn to listen and respect each other's viewpoints.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to consider and respect diverse opinions and ideas from others, fostering a more inclusive environment at school or in other social settings.
Example Lesson: Courage in facing the unknown
Explanation: Entering and exploring the corn maze requires bravery from the characters, especially when encountering unexpected situations.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to embrace new experiences and face fears with courage, which is applicable in trying new activities or adapting to changes.
Example Lesson: Observation and attention to detail
Explanation: To navigate through the maze successfully, characters must be observant and pay attention to subtle clues around them.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this skill to their studies by concentrating on details in their lessons or when observing the environment around them.