Animorphs Series
The Deception
on Goodreads (2,331)
What’s inside...
When Visser Two lands on Earth, he makes a decision to have the humans destroy the people and land that is unneeded by the Yeerks by starting World War III.
Age
9-12
Length
118 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Discussion points
What do you think motivated the characters to keep the secret in the story?
How do you feel about the way the deception was handled? What would you have done differently?
Do you think keeping a secret is always a bad thing, or can it sometimes be good?
What did you learn about trust and honesty from this story?
How might this story have ended differently if the characters had made other choices?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in the characters' shoes, asking how they would feel and react in similar situations.
Discuss the implications of deception and honesty, emphasizing how these themes apply to real-life situations.
Praise your child for expressing their opinions and thoughts, even if they differ from your own, fostering an environment of open communication.
Connect the story to personal experiences, either from your child’s life or your own, to make the themes more relatable.
After discussing, suggest drawing a picture or writing a short story about how they believe the characters could have resolved the issues without deception.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Honesty is the best policy
Explanation: In 'The Deception', the main character learns the hard way that lying can lead to complications and mistrust among friends and family.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding the importance of being truthful in their interactions, which helps build trust and strong relationships.
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences
Explanation: The story illustrates how every action, like the protagonist's decision to deceive, has consequences that can affect oneself and others.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to think ahead about the possible outcomes of their actions and encourages responsible decision-making.
Example Lesson: Empathy and forgiveness
Explanation: As the plot unfolds, characters in the book show forgiveness, highlighting the importance of understanding others' feelings and second chances.
Real-World Application: Kids learn the value of empathizing with peers and the power of forgiving, fostering a supportive and caring environment.
Example Lesson: Resolving conflicts
Explanation: The characters in 'The Deception' work through their misunderstandings and conflicts, teaching effective communication and resolution strategies.
Real-World Application: Children can use these strategies to manage disputes in school and social settings, promoting harmony and understanding.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: The protagonist's journey is a learning curve where mistakes are stepping stones to personal growth and better choices.
Real-World Application: This lesson emphasizes to children that errors are natural and can be used positively to improve oneself, encouraging resilience and a growth mindset.