The Mystery of the Haunted Scarecrow
#22 of 10 in Katie Woo And Pedro Mysteries Series
What’s inside...
Katie Woo and her friend Pedro are out to solve the mystery of a scarecrow that seems to come to life in the middle of the night. While investigating, they learn about courage, teamwork, and friendship. Pedro and Katie are visiting Pedro's Aunt Carmen's farm. A frowning scarecrow has the kids spooked. Shadows and creepy sounds have Katie convinced that the old scarecrow is haunted. But could there be another explanation?
Discussion points
What do you think made the scarecrow haunted, and how would you help it if you were in the story?
How did the characters' feelings change throughout the book, and what made them change?
What are some of the clues that helped solve the mystery of the haunted scarecrow?
If you could ask the scarecrow one question, what would it be and why?
How would the story be different if it took place in a city instead of a farm?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to use their imagination by asking them to think of alternative endings or different settings for the story. Discuss the characters’ decisions and actions, and relate them to real-life situations to enhance empathy and understanding. Utilize the mystery aspect of the book to develop problem-solving skills by pausing at key moments and predicting what might happen next.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in facing fears
Explanation: In the story, the characters confront the haunted scarecrow despite their initial fear, demonstrating bravery.
Real-World Application: Children learn to tackle their own fears, whether it's trying out new activities or facing challenging situations at school.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: The characters work together to solve the mystery, highlighting the value of collaborative effort.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to appreciate cooperation and working with others to achieve common goals in group projects or sports.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and problem solving
Explanation: As the plot unfolds, characters use clues and logical reasoning to solve the mystery, showcasing problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Kids are inspired to use similar critical thinking skills in their academic tasks and daily problem-solving scenarios.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding others
Explanation: The characters learn the reasons behind the scarecrow’s haunting, fostering a sense of empathy.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to look beyond surface appearances and understand deeper motivations and emotions of those around them.