The Wave
on Goodreads (90)
What’s inside...
When a boy is swept up in a wave of sadness, he finds himself tumbling. But when he remembers that this sadness won't last forever, and that the wave will eventually carry him back to shore, he discovers his friends and family waiting to gently pull him out of the water and back home. With hopeful text and gorgeous art, The Wave takes us on a journey through one child's experience with depression that fosters empathy for those on the outside, and solidarity for those still caught in the midst of their own wave. It is an honest look at depression which affects almost 2 million children in the United States. The Wave is a must-read for anyone who finds themselves tumbling, and a beautiful reminder that we can reach out to others to keep our heads - and hearts - above water.
Age
4-8
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the wave change the lives of the people in the story?
What feelings do you think the characters experienced during the story?
If you were a character in the book, what would you have done differently?
Why do you think the author chose a wave to represent the main challenge in the story?
What do you think is the message or lesson the author wants us to learn from the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by asking your child about their favorite part of the book and why they liked it.
Relate the story to your child’s experiences by discussing a time when they faced a challenge and how they felt.
Encourage your child to think about the characters’ emotions and behaviors by asking them to imagine being in similar situations.
Discuss the broader message of the book and how it applies to everyday life, reinforcing the themes of resilience and compassion.
Encourage your child to draw or write about a new ending to the story, fostering creative thinking and understanding of the narrative.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: In 'The Wave,' the protagonist faces significant obstacles but learns to navigate them with perseverance and courage.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by tackling difficult tasks at school or in their personal lives with determination and a positive attitude.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: The characters in the book often work together to overcome challenges, highlighting the power of collaboration.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to value cooperating with peers during group activities or team sports.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters show compassion and empathy towards each other, which helps resolve conflicts.
Real-World Application: Children learn to be considerate of others' feelings and perspectives, which can help foster stronger relationships with friends and family.
Example Lesson: Adaptability to change
Explanation: The characters in 'The Wave' encounter various changes and learn the importance of adapting to new situations.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that change is a part of life and adapting to it can lead to positive outcomes.
Example Lesson: Courage to voice opinions
Explanation: Characters in the book learn to express their thoughts and stand up for what they believe in, despite challenges.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of expressing their ideas and opinions respectfully and confidently in diverse settings.