The Candy Shop War, Vol. 2: Arcade Catastrophe
#2 of 3 in The Candy Shop War Series
on Goodreads (10,091)
What’s inside...
It will take more than magical candy to win this war! Something fishy is going on at the new amusement center in Walnut Hills. The trouble seems linked to the mysterious disappearance of Mozag and John Dar, who have spent their lives policing the magical community. When Nate and his friends are asked to help investigate, they discover kids feverishly playing arcade games in an effort to win enough tickets to redeem one of four stamps: jets, tanks, submarines, and racecars. Rumor has it that the stamps are definitely worth it. But what do they do? The kids soon discover that the owner of Arcadeland is recruiting members for four different clubs. When each club is filled, he will begin his quest to retrieve a magical talisman of almost unimaginable power. With John Dart and Mozag sidelined, will Nate, Summer, Trevor, Pigeon, and their new friend Lindy, find a way to save the day? Find out in this sweetest adventure ever! The long-awaited sequel to The Candy Shop War! In The Candy Shop War, friends Nate, Summer, Trevor, and Pigeon met the evil magician Belinda White, whose magical confections enabled the kids to do incredible feats of strength and magic. In the sequel, Nate and his friends meet Mrs. White's brother Mr. White who owns Arcadeland, a local amusement center. At Arcadeland, kids can play games and earn thousands of tickets, which are redeemable for one of four kinds of stamps – jets, tanks, subs, and racecars. Could it be true that these stamps allow kids to fly through the air? Or breathe underwater? Or run faster than a car? But Mr. White is hiding a secret: when all four clubs are filled, he will be able to retrieve perhaps the most powerful talisman ever. For Nate and his friends, it will take more than candy to fight and win this war!
Character compass
Nate Sutter
Summer
Paul 'Pigeon' Bowen
Trevor
Mr. Stott
John Dart
Discussion points
What would you do if you were given magical candies like the ones in the book? How would you use them?
How do the relationships between the characters change throughout the story? What can we learn from how they handle their conflicts?
What do you think about the choices the characters make when faced with challenges? What would you have done differently?
How do the magical elements of the 'Arcade Catastrophe' influence the real-world issues the characters face? Can you draw any parallels to real-life situations?
What is the importance of trust and teamwork as shown in the book? Can you think of a time when you had to rely on others?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in the characters’ shoes, fostering empathy and better understanding of the characters' decisions and dilemmas.
Discuss the ethical and moral choices presented in the story to help your child develop their own sense of right and wrong.
Relate the magical aspects of the book to real-world situations to help your child see the relevance of the story to their own life.
Highlight teamwork and trust themes in the book, and connect them to your child’s experiences with friends and teams to deepen their understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: In 'The Candy Shop War, Vol. 2: Arcade Catastrophe', the characters must work together to solve the mysteries and challenges they face. Their collaborative efforts are crucial for their success.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to value teamwork in group projects at school or when playing sports, teaching them that cooperation can lead to achieving great results.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: The book explores the ramifications of the choices the characters make, particularly when they decide to use magical candies. This demonstrates that every action has a consequence, whether good or bad.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to think critically about the consequences before making decisions, helping them to make more thoughtful choices in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the story, the young protagonists encounter various puzzles and obstacles that require them to think critically and devise strategic solutions.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to apply analytical thinking to overcome challenges they face in academics or in resolving conflicts with peers.
Example Lesson: Importance of Trust
Explanation: In the plot, characters learn valuable lessons about whom to trust. This aspect of the story emphasizes the importance of being discerning about trust and loyalty.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the value of trust and encourage them to be cautious and wise about whom they trust in real life.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The magical elements and quirky characters in the book spark imagination and demonstrate that creativity can lead to unique solutions.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use their creativity to think outside the box, whether in creative projects, writing, or problem-solving.