The Death of Yorik Mortwell
on Goodreads (158)
What’s inside...
Inspired by the artwork of Edward Gorey, Windblowne author Stephen Messer delivers a mock-Gothic tale about poor Yorick (alas!), son of the Gamekeeper at venerable Ravenby Manor, who meets an untimely demise in chapter one. Worry not, dear reader, for Yorick returns in ghostly form, intent on revenge. In the course of his hauntings, ghostly Yorick discovers that all manner of otherworldy creatures inhabit the manor grounds, and that he has a part to play in saving not only his still-living orphan sister but also the manor and everyone in it. For every young reader who enjoyed the dour dalliance of A Series of Unfortunate Events, here is Stephen Messer's playful homage to the poor orphans of Charles Dickens, the bleak poetry of Edgar Allen Poe, and the exaggerated characters of Roald Dahl.
Age
8-12
Length
192 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the story of Yorik Mortwell make you feel and why?
What do you think was the most important lesson Yorik learned during his journey?
If you were in Yorik's place, how would you have reacted to the challenges he faced?
Can you think of a time when you had to make a difficult decision, like Yorik? What did you decide and why?
What do you think Yorik's world teaches us about bravery and fear?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, validating their responses as valuable insights.
Relate themes from the book to the child’s own experiences to deepen their connection and understanding of the story.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child’s responses to encourage deeper thinking and exploration of the book’s themes.
Share your own interpretations of the story’s lessons, fostering an open exchange of ideas.
Use the discussion as an opportunity to teach empathy by exploring different characters' perspectives and motivations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of empathy
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters demonstrate understanding and compassion towards each other's feelings and situations, helping to resolve conflicts.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize emotions in others and respond kindly, fostering better relationships with peers and adults.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: The protagonist faces various obstacles but continues to persevere, showing determination and courage.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to persist despite difficulties, be it in their academic pursuits or personal challenges.
Example Lesson: The value of truth and honesty
Explanation: Characters in the story learn the consequences of deceit and the benefits of being truthful, reinforcing the importance of honesty.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this by being honest in their daily interactions and understanding that trust is foundational to relationships.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The story vividly portrays how choices have outcomes, teaching accountability and forethought.
Real-World Application: Children will learn to think about the implications of their actions beforehand, promoting more responsible behavior.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: Characters collaborate to solve problems, highlighting how working together can achieve greater results than working alone.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to participate in team activities and value cooperative efforts in school projects or family tasks.