The Lifters
on Goodreads (2,204)
What’s inside...
The story revolves around a twelve-year-old boy named Gran Flowerpetal who moves to a strange town, Carousel, with his family. The town and its folks are sinking, literally, under the weight of despair. Gran, with his new friend Catalina Catalan, discovers a series of mysterious doors underground that leads them to a dark secret that only they can lift. Journey to an underground world where adventure awaits and heroes are made in this middle grade novel from the bestselling, Pulitzer-nominated author. Discover an underground world full of tunnels and mystery in this middle-grade adventure. What if the ground beneath your feet was hollowed into tunnels and passageways? Twelve-year-old Gran Flowerpetal is about to find out when he and his friend Catalina Catalan open a doorway underground. They face mysterious forces and the fate of an entire town rests on their shoulders. With bravery, luck, and some discarded hockey sticks, they might just emerge as heroes. In The Lifters, Dave Eggers establishes himself as a storyteller who can entertain and inspire readers of any age.
Age
7-12
Length
352 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Gran Flowerpetal
Gran'S Father
Catalina Catalan
Discussion points
What did you think about Gran's decision to explore the hidden world beneath Carousel? How would you have reacted in his place?
The Lifters face many challenges throughout the story. Which obstacle do you think was the hardest for them, and why?
Gran and Catalina work together to solve big problems. Can you think of a time when you had to work with someone else to accomplish something important?
How do you think the town of Carousel changed by the end of the book? What lessons do you think the townspeople learned?
If you could have a secret power like the Lifters, what would it be and how would you use it to help others?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book’s events, relating them to their own experiences whenever possible.
Highlight the importance of teamwork and community as demonstrated by Gran and Catalina. Discuss with your child instances where they have had to collaborate with others.
Discuss the moral decisions characters make in the story, asking your child what they would have done in similar situations.
Help your child connect the story to broader life lessons, such as the importance of courage and helping others, to deepen their understanding and empathy.
Use the imaginative aspects of the book, such as the underground world and the special abilities of the Lifters, to spark creative thinking and ask your child to envision their own magical adventures.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of adversity
Explanation: In 'The Lifters,' the protagonist Gran encounters numerous challenges in the underground world. His bravery in tackling these obstacles head-on demonstrates the value of courage.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own challenges, whether it be trying out for a sports team, standing up to a bully, or mastering a new skill, with bravery and determination.
Example Lesson: The power of teamwork
Explanation: Gran and his new friend Catalina work together to navigate the mysterious tunnels beneath their town. Their collaboration highlights the importance of cooperation and relying on others.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of collaborating with classmates on projects or working together with siblings at home to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Embracing differences
Explanation: Gran and Catalina come from different backgrounds and have unique abilities, which they use to complement each other. Their friendship illustrates how diversity can strengthen a team.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate diversity and understand that everyone has distinct strengths that can contribute positively to group endeavors and friendships.
Example Lesson: Perseverance leads to success
Explanation: Throughout the book, challenges become increasingly difficult, yet Gran and Catalina persist. Their perseverance is a key factor in their eventual success.
Real-World Application: By instilling the value of perseverance, children can be encouraged to continue working hard in school, in sports, or any other activities, even when they face difficulties or setbacks.
Example Lesson: Creativity as a problem-solving tool
Explanation: The characters in 'The Lifters' often use creative solutions to deal with the challenges they face in the underground world.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to think creatively when faced with problems, enhancing their ability to innovate and think outside the box in real-life situations.