Wading Through Peanut Butter
on Goodreads (9)
What’s inside...
Determined to show his fifth-grade class how cool he is, Bently Barker thinks he's got fifth grade in the bag and vows to show the world an all-new, super-cool Bently. However, he quickly realizes that impressing his peers comes with unintended consequences. With a tough seventh grader on his tail, being blackmailed, and responsible for feeding his teacher's octopus, Archie, Bently faces numerous challenges as he struggles to prevent fifth grade from becoming his stickiest year ever.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-11
Length
124 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think it feels like to wade through peanut butter? Can you describe it?
Why do you think the characters reacted the way they did in the story?
What would you do if you were in a similar sticky situation?
How do you think the problem in the book could be solved differently?
What did you learn from the story that you can use in your own life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive gestures and facial expressions to mimic the sticky situations in the story, making the reading experience more interactive.
Ask your child to draw their own version of a 'peanut butter world' and discuss their artistic choices and how they relate to the story.
Encourage your child to think of similar 'sticky' situations they have encountered, and discuss potential creative solutions.
While discussing the characters' reactions, guide your child to connect those emotions with their own experiences, enhancing their empathy and understanding.
Praise your child’s responses and insights during the discussion to boost their confidence and engagement.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The protagonist's struggle with daily challenges in a world where everything is sticky and slow (like wading through peanut butter) teaches children the importance of persistence.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by persisting through their own challenges, whether in completing a difficult homework assignment or learning a new skill.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Problem Solving
Explanation: The book showcases the protagonist creatively solving problems that arise in this sticky world, prompting children to think outside the box.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to use their imagination to solve problems in their everyday life, from figuring out how to tidy their room efficiently to making up games to play with friends.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: The interactions between characters navigating this cumbersome world teach children the importance of understanding and helping others in tough situations.
Real-World Application: Children learn to empathize with their peers and help them face challenges, whether it's helping a classmate understand a new concept or supporting a friend who is feeling down.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: As conditions in the world of the story change unexpectedly, the protagonist must adapt quickly, highlighting the importance of being flexible.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the value of adapting to changes, such as moving to a new school or dealing with a change in routine at home.