Trail Ride Troubles (Storm Cliff Stables)
#3 in Storm Cliff Stables Series
What’s inside...
The Core Four--Avery, Bree, Esha, and Jaelyn, campers at Storm Cliff Stables--discover that someone has been cutting down trees on Aunt Jane's property just as an old friend and neighbor of hers is pushing to buy a piece of her land. During a trip to Ridge Rock, the girls find that the trees, including their favorite one with a carved heart, have been cut down. Jaelyn, who was looking forward to drawing the scenic views, is determined to find out who is responsible for the destruction.
Discussion points
How do you think the characters felt during their trail ride adventure?
What would you have done if you were in the same situation as the characters?
What do you think is the most important lesson the characters learned?
Can you think of a time when you had to work together with friends to solve a problem?
How do the actions of the characters inspire you to act in your own life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the experiences of the characters to their own life, fostering personal connection and deeper understanding.
Ask your child to describe what they liked or disliked about the characters' decisions, promoting critical thinking.
Highlight themes of teamwork and friendship from the book to discuss the importance of collaboration and support in real life.
Use the book’s setting and events as a starting point to discuss overcoming fears and challenges, aligning it with your child’s experiences.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or different choices the characters could have made, enhancing their creative thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: The characters in 'Trail Ride Troubles' work together to overcome obstacles during their ride, demonstrating how teamwork is essential to achieve goals.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by collaborating with classmates on group projects or with siblings on shared tasks at home, reinforcing the value of cooperation and communication.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Throughout the story, the characters learn to take care of the horses and be accountable for their roles in the ride. This instills a sense of responsibility.
Real-World Application: Kids can practice responsibility by taking care of their pets, maintaining their own spaces, or completing their homework diligently.
Example Lesson: Courage to face fears
Explanation: The characters confront and overcome their fears during the stables' challenges. This shows readers the importance of courage in overcoming adversity.
Real-World Application: Children can embrace this lesson by tackling new activities or challenges in school or social situations, learning to overcome anxiety and build confidence.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: When faced with unexpected problems during the trail ride, the characters must think quickly and creatively to find solutions.
Real-World Application: Kids can use similar problem-solving approaches when faced with conflicts or challenges, using creativity to navigate and resolve issues.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: The story emphasizes the beauty and challenges of the natural world through the trail ride, teaching children respect for the environment.
Real-World Application: This can be applied in a child’s everyday life by participating in outdoor clean-ups, learning about local wildlife, and practicing sustainability at home or school.