The First Scream (Fear Street: Fear Park, No. 1)
#1 in Fear Park Series
on Goodreads (673)
What’s inside...
When her businessman father decides to open up a new amusement park despite the curse of the Fear family, Dierdre Bradley is caught on a seemingly endless nightmare ride. A new Fear Street trilogy begins with the opening of an amusement park in the Fear Street Woods, where a similar attempt 60 years ago resulted in the deaths of over a dozen kids before it even opened. Dierdre's father is determined to open Fear Park, unaware that something will do anything to stop him. Soon, screams of joy will turn to screams of terror as Dierdre is trapped in a never-ending nightmare ride.
Discussion points
How do you think the characters felt when they faced their fears? Can you relate to those feelings?
What would you have done differently if you were in the protagonist’s shoes?
Why do you think the author chose a theme park as the setting for the story?
What do you think the main message of the story is, and why?
How do you handle scary or unexpected situations?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book’s events and characters. Validate their feelings and provide comfort if they feel scared.
Discuss your own ways of dealing with fear and anxiety, making it a shared learning experience.
Use examples from the book to teach resilience and problem-solving skills.
Reinforce the difference between fiction and reality, especially after reading suspenseful or frightening scenes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of fear
Explanation: The characters in 'The First Scream' confront chilling challenges in Fear Park. Their resilience in terrifying situations exemplifies bravery.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to face their fears and challenges with bravery, whether it be trying out for a sports team, performing on stage, or standing up against bullying.
Example Lesson: Consequences of decisions
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters make choices that lead to various consequences, emphasizing the idea that every action has an outcome.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think critically about their choices, understanding that their actions will lead to results, and to strive for positive decision-making.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: As the characters in the book work together to uncover mysteries and survive the horrors of Fear Park, teamwork is shown as crucial.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to value collaboration and cooperation, skills important for group projects at school or in team sports.