West End Shuffle (Uqp Young Adult Fiction)
UQP Young Adult Fiction Series
on Goodreads (5)
What’s inside...
The story of Carmen Morton, a fifteen-year-old from a working class family in Brisbane, who is accepted into the prestigious Queensland Dance School of Excellence for her final two years of high school.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-18
Length
212 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What feelings did you experience while reading about the characters' adventures in 'West End Shuffle'?
How do you think the main character's decisions affected the outcome of the story?
What would you have done differently if you were in the protagonist's situation?
How did the setting of the story influence the events that took place?
What can we learn about friendship and courage from 'West End Shuffle'?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate personal experiences to the themes in the book, fostering deeper connections and understanding.
Pause at pivotal moments in the story and predict what might happen next, stimulating your child’s critical thinking and imagination.
Use expressive reading to capture the emotion of the story, making the reading experience more engaging and lively for your child.
After reading, encourage your child to draw or write about their favorite scene, which helps in reinforcing their comprehension and memory of the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: In 'West End Shuffle,' characters must work together to overcome challenges, illustrating how collaboration can lead to success.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in group activities at school or in sports, learning to cooperate and value each team member's contribution.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The protagonists face various hardships but persist in their goals, teaching readers about the power of perseverance.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the importance of not giving up when facing difficulties in their studies or personal challenges.
Example Lesson: The impact of choices
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters make choices that have consequences, demonstrating the importance of thoughtful decision-making.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to consider the potential outcomes of their actions and make more deliberate choices in their interactions and responsibilities.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Characters in the story learn to understand and empathize with others’ perspectives, fostering a message of compassion.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to be more empathetic towards their peers, understanding different viewpoints and feeling more connected to those around them.
Example Lesson: Valuing diversity
Explanation: The diverse cast of characters highlights the strength found in differences and the beauty of inclusivity.
Real-World Application: This lesson can teach children to embrace diversity in their community, leading to richer experiences and broader perspectives.