True Blue
All Aboard Reading Series
on Goodreads (521)
What’s inside...
The darker side of a friendship is portrayed by Jess, a seventeen-year-old who struggles to find the moral courage to remain loyal to her best friend Casey who has been accused of murdering an eight-year-old girl at summer camp. The town becomes a media circus and the pressure is far too great for Jess to cope. A person doesn't have to do anything important to get recognition anymore; it's enough to know someone who does. Parasitic fame. Casey was more than just a dependable camp counselor dedicated to her little buddies in Cabin Three. She was a brilliant student looking forward to a scholarship and a future career in entomology. Casey wasn't the kind of girl who would be stuck in a town like Galloway the rest of her life. She was really going places. And nobody knew this better than Jess, Casey's best friend. So how could a girl like Casey be arrested for the murder of a young camper under her care? Jess believes her friend is innocent and that the real killer will be caught; but in the meantime, she finds herself the reluctant center of attention. After all, she was also a counselor in Cabin Three. Jess must know something...right? Readers will readily sympathize with Jess, whose life begins to spin out of control. But award-winning author Deborah Ellis brings much more to the character of her complex and troubled narrator, who may not be entirely reliable. As the events surrounding the final weeks of August are slowly unveiled, readers will begin to question the very nature of friendship and how one finds the moral courage to be loyal, no matter what the consequences.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-15
Length
240 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made Casey so determined to prove her friend’s innocence in 'True Blue'?
How can we show support for our friends when they are going through tough times, just like Casey did?
Why is it important to stand up for what you believe is right?
What would you have done differently if you were in Casey's shoes?
How do you think the challenges faced by Casey helped her grow?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about times they have helped a friend, and relate those experiences to Casey's actions in the book.
Discuss the importance of having strong values and standing up for friends, drawing parallels to personal experiences and the story.
Ask your child how they felt when reading about Casey's challenges and victories, which can help them connect more deeply with the character's journey.
Pose hypothetical scenarios to your child based on the book's themes, such as what they would do if they were in a similar situation as Casey.
Reinforce the discussion by applauding your child’s insights and opinions, fostering an open and supportive environment for sharing.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: In 'True Blue,' the protagonist learns to step into the shoes of a friend who faces a serious accusation, offering a deep dive into understanding others' perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to listen and understand their friends' feelings and situations, fostering stronger and more empathetic relationships.
Example Lesson: Courage and Integrity
Explanation: The story highlights the protagonist's struggle and courage to stand up for the truth, even when it is difficult or unpopular.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to embrace honesty and bravery in their daily actions, whether it's admitting to a mistake or defending a classmate.
Example Lesson: Resilience in Adversity
Explanation: As the characters in the book face various challenges, they demonstrate resilience and the ability to persevere, which is crucial in overcoming obstacles.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to remain steadfast and optimistic despite difficulties, skills that are widely applicable in schoolwork, sports, and personal relationships.
Example Lesson: Importance of Friendship
Explanation: The book showcases the power and impact of strong, supportive friendships during tough times.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to build and maintain positive friendships which provide support and joy amidst life’s ups and downs.
Example Lesson: Questioning and Critical Thinking
Explanation: Throughout 'True Blue,' the characters often question the status quo and think critically about the situation at hand, promoting an investigative approach to problems.
Real-World Application: This nurtures a child’s ability to question details and think critically about various scenarios they encounter, from working on a school project to resolving peer conflicts.