The Mountain

What’s inside...

The narrative highlights the speaker's belief in the transformative power of Jesus, especially as understood by adults with more life experience. The speaker was taught Romans 8:28 from a young age, which helped them navigate hardships by trusting in God's plan. The speaker emphasizes that God's goal is not harm, but rather to bring about something beautiful and glorious for every Christian. The story, while directed towards children, aims to reassure all readers that God is actively working for their good, transforming difficulties into blessings.
Series reading

Non-Sequential

Age

5-9

Length

30 pages

Text complexity

Discussion points

What do you think the mountain symbolizes in the story?
How do you believe the main character felt when they faced challenges climbing the mountain?
What can we learn from the way the main character overcame obstacles?
Can you think of a time when you faced something difficult like the character did? How did you handle it?
What would you do if you were in the place of the main character at the end of the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a warm and curious tone to encourage open-ended conversations.
Connect the story to the child's personal experiences to make the discussion more relatable.
Praise the child's responses to reinforce their participation and confidence.
Ask follow-up questions based on the child's answers to deepen the discussion.
Discuss the moral lessons of the story and how they can be applied in real life situations.

Key lessons

Example Lesson: Perseverance through challenges
Explanation: In 'The Mountain,' the protagonist faces various obstacles while climbing a mountain, teaching children the value of persistence and overcoming difficulties.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson in their daily lives by not giving up easily when they face challenges at school or in their personal activities.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: The book showcases how working together can help achieve goals that seem impossible initially, as the protagonist succeeds with the help and cooperation of friends.
Real-World Application: This lesson could be applied in a child's life during group activities or team sports, emphasizing the importance of collaborative effort and mutual support.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: ‘The Mountain’ passionately illustrates the beauty and power of the natural world, teaching children to appreciate and care for their environment.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to participate in recycling, conservation efforts and to be mindful of their surroundings when playing outdoors.
Example Lesson: Courage to face fears
Explanation: The story encourages confronting fears, depicted when the protagonist decides to face the daunting task of climbing the mountain despite feeling scared.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that it’s okay to feel afraid and that facing their fears can lead to personal growth and achievement.
Example Lesson: Joy of discovery
Explanation: As the protagonist explores new paths and vistas, the book conveys the excitement of learning and discovery.
Real-World Application: Children can be urged to explore new subjects, try new activities, and ask questions about the world around them, fostering a lifelong love of learning.

The Mountain by Ashley R Johnson