The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls
on Goodreads (1,834)
What’s inside...
For seven years, bad luck has followed Ivy around like a dog on a leash. Her father disappeared, her mother is a washed-up beauty-pageant winner, and now Ivy and her mother have moved into a ramshackle house on Gumm Street. Ivy's new neighbors--bookish Pru, stuck-up Cat, and wannabe adventurer Franny--are worse than unfriendly. But then a mysterious pair of ruby red slippers turns up, and the four girls are swept away...not to OZ, but to the jaw-droppingly strange lands of SPOZ, SPUDZ, and OOZE, pursued by the fashionably mad Cha-Cha Staccato, who bears a frightening resemblance to a certain wicked witch. Franny longs for adventure but can't even do a cartwheel. Pru can do a cartwheel but prefers hiding under her quilt making up safety tips. Cat has no use for safety tips but supposedly has ESP. And Ivy has had a seven-year string of bad luck—a Jinx that's about to get a whole lot worse. The four are thrown together when a pair of mysterious ruby red slippers turn up, along with the fashionably mad Cha-Cha Staccato, who bears a frightening resemblance to a certain wicked witch. As hilarious as it is original, The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls is an unforgettable take on girlhood, piano recitals, The Wizard of Oz, and the dependable everyday magic of true friendship.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
448 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do the different personalities of the Gumm Street girls contribute to their friendship and adventures?
What lessons do the characters learn about teamwork and bravery?
How does the setting influence the story, and what role does it play in the characters' actions?
What would you do if you were in Franny's shoes when facing the Witch?
How do the girls' adventures change their perceptions of the world and themselves?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate their own experiences to those of the characters. Ask them to consider what similarities and differences they see. Use examples from the book to discuss real-life scenarios of teamwork and overcoming fears. Highlight the importance of diversity and acceptance by discussing how characters from different backgrounds come together. Lastly, let them imagine and discuss what their own magical adventure might look like.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout 'The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls,' the characters learn to collaborate despite their differences to overcome challenges. They recognize that working together allows them to achieve their common goals efficiently.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to cooperate with peers or family members during group activities or tasks at home and in school, enhancing social and problem-solving skills.
Example Lesson: Courage and resilience
Explanation: The young protagonists face various adversities but demonstrate bravery and persistence. Their journey encourages them to tackle difficulties head-on and to not be deterred by setbacks.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to be courageous in confronting their fears, whether it be trying out for a sports team, participating in a school play, or standing up for what is right, thereby fostering a resilient spirit.
Example Lesson: Embracing individuality
Explanation: Each character in the book has unique qualities and strengths that contribute to their group's success. This diversity is celebrated, showing that individual differences make the team stronger and more versatile.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate their own and others' unique traits and abilities. They understand that being different is valuable and can be confidently expressed in their interactions with others.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The girls often encounter puzzles and problems that they must solve to move forward in their adventure. These scenarios highlight the importance of thinking critically and creatively.
Real-World Application: In real life, children will encounter situations where critical thinking is needed. This lesson equips them with the mindset to approach problems logically and creatively, whether in academic settings or personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: As the girls take on the secretive and important task of protecting magical artifacts, they learn the weight of responsibility and the need to be conscientious in their duties.
Real-World Application: This highlights the importance of being responsible in daily tasks and commitments for children, such as completing homework, performing chores, or caring for a pet, teaching them accountability and reliability from an early age.