The Guardians
#1 of 5 in The Guardians Series
on Goodreads (762)
What’s inside...
One of a series of fiction for schools. The moral of this story, set in the 21st century, is that freedom has to be won and kept by the young. It won the 'Guardian' Prize for Children's Literature. In a world where two nations rule all, Rob must find a way to live among them both in this futuristic story from the author of the Tripods series.
Character compass
Rob Randall
Mike Gifford
Sir Percy Gifford
Discussion points
What do you think makes someone a good guardian? Can anyone be a guardian?
How did the characters change throughout the story?
Which guardian did you like the most and why?
What would you do if you were in the place of the main character?
How do you think the guardians felt when they were protecting their world?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use open-ended questions to encourage deeper thinking and to help your child articulate their thoughts and feelings about the story.
Discuss the qualities of a guardian portrayed in the book and relate them to real-life role models within your family or community.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings for the book to foster creativity and perspective-taking.
Draw parallels between the conflicts in the book and real-world scenarios to help your child apply the lessons from the story to their own life.
Ask your child to summarize different parts of the book to enhance their comprehension and recall skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Value of teamwork
Explanation: The characters in 'The Guardians' collaborate to achieve common goals, demonstrating the strength in working together.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in sports, learning that cooperation can lead to greater success.
Example Lesson: Importance of courage
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters face various challenges that they overcome by being brave.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to face their own fears and challenges, such as trying new activities or standing up for themselves.
Example Lesson: The power of kindness
Explanation: Characters in the book often succeed by treating others with kindness, showing that compassion can influence positive outcomes.
Real-World Application: Children learn to practice kindness in their daily interactions, which can build stronger relationships and a supportive community.
Example Lesson: Responsibility for one’s actions
Explanation: The book shows consequences for the characters' actions, teaching accountability.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand that their actions have impacts and encourages them to think before they act.
Example Lesson: Embracing differences
Explanation: The characters in the book come from diverse backgrounds and learn to celebrate their differences.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to be inclusive and appreciate diversity among their peers and in their community.