The Labyrinth of Doom
#2 of 4 in Charlie Thorne Series
What’s inside...
In the second book of the New York Times bestselling Once Upon a Tim series, knight-in-training Tim, along with his best friend Belinda, embarks on a daring quest to rescue Princess Grace, who has been kidnapped by Prince Ruprecht and trapped in a perilous and elaborate maze. As they navigate through treacherous obstacles and face menacing beasts, Tim, Belinda, and their companions, Ferkle and Rover, must solve the labyrinth's puzzles, save the princess, and find a way out before they are trapped forever. This laugh-out-loud funny and highly illustrated adventure is penned by Spy School author Stuart Gibbs.
Discussion points
What would you do if you were in the same situation as the main character?
How do you think the characters felt when they entered the Labyrinth of Doom?
What were some of the challenges the characters faced, and how did they overcome them?
Can you think of a time when you faced something scary or challenging? How does it compare to the labyrinth in the story?
What is the most important lesson you learned from this story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story and relate it to their own experiences.
Use expressive read-aloud techniques to bring the characters and setting to life, enhancing the story’s impact.
Discuss the moral and ethical decisions made by the characters to deepen your child's understanding of right and wrong.
Prompt your child to imagine alternative endings or scenarios to foster creative thinking.
Highlight the problem-solving and teamwork skills depicted in the book to reinforce these important values.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance in facing challenges
Explanation: In 'The Labyrinth of Doom', the protagonist encounters numerous obstacles but continuously pushes forward, demonstrating determination.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of not giving up when they face difficulties in tasks such as school projects or learning new skills.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout the story, the characters must solve puzzles to proceed in the labyrinth, teaching strategic thinking and creativity.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to apply logical thinking and creativity in solving their own real-life problems, whether in academics or personal situations.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The characters often rely on teamwork to navigate the challenges of the labyrinth, highlighting the value of collaboration.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of working with others to achieve common goals, which is applicable in group projects at school or in sports.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: Facing unknown elements within the labyrinth, the characters show bravery, which is central to the plot.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to face their own fears and try new activities that they might find intimidating at first.
Example Lesson: Moral Integrity
Explanation: Decisions made by characters often involve choosing between easy but wrong options and difficult but right choices, stressing ethical decision-making.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of making morally sound decisions, even when under pressure or in difficult situations.