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The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World (A Squirrel Girl Novel)

#1 of 2 in The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Novels Series

illustrations by
4.12
on Goodreads (4,009)

What’s inside...

Fourteen-year-old Doreen Green moved from sunny California to the suburbs of New Jersey, starting at a new school and hiding her squirrel powers. After initial struggles, Doreen, aka Squirrel Girl, uses her powers to stop troublemakers, gaining attention and contemplating becoming a Super Hero. As she embraces her role, saving cats and keeping the streets clean, a Super Villain emerges, challenging her ability to balance life as a teenager and a Super Hero.
In series
Series reading

Non-Sequential

Age

7-11

Length

336 pages

Text complexity

Character compass

Doreen Green
Tippy-Toe
Ana SofíA
Maureen Green
Dorian Green
Micro-Manager

Discussion points

What do you think makes Squirrel Girl different from other superheroes you know?
How do Squirrel Girl's unique abilities help her solve problems in unconventional ways?
What lessons can we learn about friendship and teamwork from Squirrel Girl’s interactions with other characters?
How does the character of Squirrel Girl change or grow throughout the story?
Why is it important to embrace what makes us unique, just like Squirrel Girl does with her squirrel-like qualities?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about how they can use their own unique skills to solve problems, drawing parallels with Squirrel Girl’s creative solutions.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and ask your child to share examples of when they had to work with others to achieve a common goal.
While discussing the book, use open-ended questions that prompt your child to think deeply about the characters' motivations and choices, fostering critical thinking skills.
Celebrate your child’s responses to foster a positive reading environment, reinforcing their confidence in expressing their thoughts and opinions.

Key lessons

Example Lesson: Embracing Uniqueness
Explanation: The protagonist, Doreen Green (Squirrel Girl), uses her unique abilities, like communicating with squirrels, to solve problems and make friends. Her confidence in her special traits helps her overcome challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate their own unique qualities and those of others, promoting self-confidence and acceptance in diverse social settings.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, Squirrel Girl faces various challenges which she tackles with cleverness and creativity. Rather than using violence, she often opts for peaceful and innovative solutions.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and solve conflicts using non-violent methods, enhancing their problem-solving skills in real life.
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: Squirrel Girl often collaborates with her friends to navigate through difficulties. The storyline promotes the idea that working together can create better solutions than working alone.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to collaborate with peers, which can help develop their social skills and ability to work in a team, both essential in school and beyond.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Throughout her adventures, Squirrel Girl faces setbacks but never gives up. Her determination to keep trying, despite obstacles, demonstrates the value of resilience.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to persist in their endeavors, whether they're tackling academic challenges, learning new skills, or building relationships.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Squirrel Girl shows a deep understanding and compassion towards both her friends and foes. This empathy often leads to peaceful resolutions and deeper connections.
Real-World Application: Teaching children to approach situations with empathy can improve their interpersonal relationships and foster a more compassionate community.

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World (A Squirrel Girl Novel) by Dean Hale, Shannon Hale