The Dunderheads
The Dunderheads Series
What’s inside...
Everyone's favorite underdogs, the Dunderheads, are back for a summer adventure. After escaping the clutches of their awful teacher Miss Breakbone during the school year, they unexpectedly encounter her again on a movie set where teen star Ashley Throbb-Hart is filming. Amidst a string of burglaries in town, Miss Breakbone convinces her brother, Police Chief Breakbone, to target the Dunderheads as prime suspects. When Spider is wrongfully accused, the rest of the Dunderheads must use their unique and varied skills to prove their friend's innocence and catch the real thief. Join Einstein, Wheels, Nails, Spitball, Google-Eyes, Clips, Junkyard, Pencil, and Hollywood as they combine their talents to outsmart the Breakbones and clear their names.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-9
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Angus (Junkyard)
Nelson (Wheels)
Charlotte (Clips)
Erwin (Spider)
Lucy (Hollywood)
Vito (Einstein)
Harriet (Pencil)
Miss Breakbone
Discussion points
What do you think the main message of 'The Dunderheads' is and why?
How did the characters work together to solve their problem? Can you think of a time you worked with others to achieve something?
What qualities do each of the Dunderheads have that help them in their mission? Which qualities do you see in yourself?
How did the story make you feel when the Dunderheads faced challenges?
Why is it important to recognize and value everyone's unique talents?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they think the book might be about just by looking at the cover. This primes their imagination and sets the stage for active reading.
Pause at pivotal moments in the story to ask your child how they think a character is feeling or what they might do next.
After reading the book, use real-life examples to draw parallels with the teamwork displayed by the Dunderheads, enhancing comprehension and personal connection.
Encourage your child to describe their favorite character and why they like them. This helps in understanding character traits and motivations.
Discuss the outcome of the story and what your child learned from it. This reinforces the message and moral of the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: The characters in 'The Dunderheads' work together to overcome obstacles, showcasing how collaboration leads to success.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of cooperating with others to achieve common goals, whether in school projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: Creativity and resourcefulness
Explanation: Each character has unique, creative abilities that contribute to solving problems, emphasizing the value of thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use their imagination and resourcefulness to handle challenges in creative ways, both academically and personally.
Example Lesson: Appreciating individual strengths
Explanation: The story highlights how each character's unique strengths play a crucial role in their collective success, reinforcing the significance of valuing everyone's unique abilities.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to recognize and appreciate diverse talents and skills in themselves and others, promoting self-esteem and mutual respect.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The Dunderheads face a tough adversary but remain determined and resilient, illustrating the power of perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children learn to stay determined and resilient despite difficulties or setbacks, fostering a strong will and persistence essential for personal growth.
Example Lesson: Strategic thinking
Explanation: The characters in the book devise a clever plan to tackle their problem, showing the importance of strategic thinking and planning.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the value of careful planning and strategy in solving problems, which can be applied in academic settings and everyday decisions.