The Mystery at Walt Disney World (Real Kids, Real Places)
Real Kids, Real Places Series
on Goodreads (226)
What’s inside...
In 'The Mystery at Walt Disney World,' part of the 'Real Kids, Real Places' series by Carole Marsh, a group of children embark on an exciting adventure at the famous theme park. While visiting Walt Disney World, they stumble upon a mystery that takes them through various attractions and landmarks within the park. As they follow clues and solve puzzles, they learn about teamwork, history, and the magic behind the scenes of the iconic destination. The book combines fictional storytelling with real locations, engaging young readers with an educational twist as they join the characters in unraveling the mystery at the happiest place on Earth. What was supposed to be a vacation for four real kids at Walt Disney World turns into a wild ride as first one kid disappears, then another, and there's only one left to solve the mystery! The book includes Accelerated Reader quizzes, history, geography, culture, cliffhanger chapters, SAT words, educational facts, humor, a built-in book club, and activities, making it not only entertaining but also educational.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
160 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you find most intriguing about the mystery at Walt Disney World?
How do you think you would act if you were in the place of the main characters?
What are some ways the characters worked together to solve the mystery? Can you think of examples of teamwork from your own experiences?
What did you learn about Walt Disney World and its history from this book?
If you could add another adventure or character to the story, what or who would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts by asking them to describe their favorite parts of the book.
Discuss the problem-solving techniques used by the characters and relate them to daily life challenges to enhance critical thinking.
Talk about the setting of Walt Disney World and share experiences or desires about visiting theme parks to make connections to the child’s own life.
Ask follow-up questions to their responses to delve deeper into their understanding and perspective of the story.
Praise their responses and thoughts to build their confidence in expressing their opinions and ideas.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: The characters in the book work together to solve the mystery, demonstrating the importance of cooperation and pooling their skills to achieve a common goal.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in group activities at school or during play, learning to listen to others, share ideas, and work together to solve problems.
Example Lesson: Critical Thinking
Explanation: The protagonists use their observation skills and deductive reasoning to piece together clues, showcasing the process of critical thinking.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to observe details in their environment and analyze information before making decisions, which is essential both in academic settings and daily life.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Learning
Explanation: The setting of Walt Disney World sparks curiosity about history and creativity, as the characters explore and learn about the park's design and attractions.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to seek knowledge about places they visit or read about, fostering a lifelong love for learning and exploration.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: As the characters are tasked with solving the mystery, they exhibit responsibility in ensuring they complete their task diligently.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of taking responsibility for their assignments and duties in school and at home, promoting accountability.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: The young characters face challenges and unknown situations bravely throughout their adventure, which illustrates the value of courage in overcoming fears.
Real-World Application: Children learn to face their own fears and challenges with bravery, whether it's trying new activities, making new friends, or standing up for what is right.