The Extremely Weird Thing that Happened in Huggabie Falls
#1 in The Huggabie Falls Trilogy Series
What’s inside...
Winner of the Text Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing, 'The Extremely Weird Thing that Happened in Huggabie Falls' is the first book in a hilarious trilogy that follows Kipp Kindle and his friends Tobias Treachery and Cymphany Chan as they try to solve a mystery in the weirdest town on Earth, Huggabie Falls. When things start to become unusually normal, the trio knows something is wrong and embarks on a quirky adventure filled with bizarre challenges. From confronting an evil villain named Felonious Dark, a wand-wielding teacher who turns Cymphany into a baby hippopotamus, killer vampire bats, and vegetarian piranhas, they have quite a task ahead to restore the town's weirdness. This laugh-out-loud middle-grade story is wonderfully weird and lots of fun.
Discussion points
What do you think makes Huggabie Falls a unique place compared to where we live?
Which character in the story would you like to be friends with and why?
How do you think Kipp Kindle, Tobias Treachery, and Cymphany Chan felt when they encountered the weird thing? Have you ever felt the same way?
What lesson do you think the story teaches about friendship and dealing with unexpected situations?
If you could add another weird thing to the story, what would it be and how would the characters react to it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to use their imagination by asking them to describe Huggabie Falls from their perspective. Discuss each character’s traits and decisions to enhance empathy and understanding. Relate themes of the book to your child’s daily experiences to make the story more relevant. After reading, ask your child to draw their favorite scene or character, then describe why they chose that particular one. This visual activity can deepen their comprehension and retention of the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Differences
Explanation: The quirky town of Huggabie Falls and its unique inhabitants teach children to appreciate individuality and embrace the differences in people.
Real-World Application: Children learn to value diverse perspectives and abilities among their peers, fostering inclusivity and acceptance in school and social settings.
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: The protagonists, Kipp, Tobias, and Cymphany, often rely on teamwork to solve the mysteries they encounter, highlighting the strength found in collaboration.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to participate in group activities and understand the benefits of working together towards a common goal, whether in classroom projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Problem-Solving
Explanation: The book's plot revolves around solving the strange happenings in Huggabie Falls, which promotes curiosity and critical thinking.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to ask questions and explore creative solutions to problems, enhancing their cognitive development and analytical skills.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the Face of Challenges
Explanation: Throughout their adventures, the characters face numerous setbacks but always persevere, teaching resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson prepares children to handle life's challenges with determination and a positive attitude, building their emotional resilience.
Example Lesson: Humor and Joy in Learning
Explanation: The absurd and humorous elements of Huggabie Falls make learning fun and engaging for readers.
Real-World Application: It encourages children to find joy in reading and learning, promoting a lifelong love for literature and an enthusiastic approach to education.