The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn
on Goodreads (1,839)
What’s inside...
Neurodivergent Maudie is ready to spend an amazing summer with her dad in California but is burdened by a troubling secret about her home life with her mom and new stepdad. As a wildfire forces them to evacuate, Maudie finds herself in her dad's hometown facing new challenges, including learning to surf. While making new friends and realizing her autism isn't a big deal, Maudie's secret about her stepdad's anger continues to weigh on her. Throughout this transformative summer, she must decide whether to confide in her dad and confront the truth about her family situation.
Age
10-13
Length
336 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Maudie Mcginn
Cal
Gary
Discussion points
How do you think Maudie felt when she faced the challenges with the fire and the water? What would you have done in her place?
What do you think the fire and the water represent in the story? Can you think of any symbols in your own life?
Maudie shows great courage throughout the story. Can you think of a time when you were really brave?
How did Maudie’s relationship with her friends and family change by the end of the book? Why do you think those changes happened?
What is the most important lesson Maudie learned? How could you apply this lesson in your own life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate personally to Maudie’s experiences by sharing similar feelings or situations from their own life.
Praise your child for thoughtful answers and encourage them to think deeper by asking follow-up questions related to their responses.
Relate the themes of the book to real-world events or personal family experiences to make the discussion more relevant and engaging.
Promote empathy by discussing the emotions and motivations of different characters and asking your child how they might feel in similar circumstances.
Highlight the growth of Maudie throughout the story, and ask your child how they have grown or changed recently in their own lives.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Maudie McGinn demonstrates empathy by understanding and responding to the feelings of both the fire and the water, showing kindness despite their differences.
Real-World Application: Children learn to recognize emotions in others and respond compassionately, improving their social interactions and friendships.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: Throughout the adventure, Maudie faces challenges with bravery. She confronts her fears to help her new friends, the fire and the water.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to face their fears and stand up for what is right, boosting their confidence and resilience in difficult situations.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Maudie uses critical thinking skills to resolve the conflict between the fire and the water, finding a solution that benefits everyone.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to think critically and creatively to solve disputes and overcome obstacles in day-to-day life.
Example Lesson: Environmental Awareness
Explanation: The story highlights the importance of natural elements, fire and water, and the balance needed to maintain harmony in nature.
Real-World Application: Children become aware of environmental issues and understand the role they play in protecting and respecting nature.
Example Lesson: Cooperation
Explanation: Maudie, the fire, and the water learn to work together despite their inherent differences, achieving a common goal.
Real-World Application: This demonstrates the importance of teamwork and can help children learn to collaborate effectively with others regardless of differences.