Readers learn Real-Life Lessons from Fantastical Characters Fantasy Readers learn Real-Life Lessons from Fantastical Characters

The Hobbit http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/thehobbit/ This book is not just about Frodo, the Hobbit, and the quest to rid Middle Earth of the ring of power and the evil rule of Sauron. Its really about… Struggle between good vs. evil How power can slowly eat away at you and can corrupt you Physically strong people can use their gift to protect others

Teaching point Today I want to remind you that fantasy stories might have fantastical plots – but they are also about themes and life lessons. Insightful readers mine these stories for lessons that might apply to their own lives.

Life Lessons What lessons do these characters learn, or teach, that could be important to my life? The Thief of Always… What lessons might Harvey teach me? Think about the part after he goes back in to the House!

Life Lessons What lessons do these characters learn, or teach, that could be important to my life? The Thief of Always… What lessons might Harvey teach me? Think about the part after he goes back in to the House! Harvey goes back to rescue the other kids. I used to think he was selfish and self-centered but now I think he is BRAVE. This taught me that you can make mistakes in your life and learn from those mistakes and do better.

Now you Try this with your book club book! Think of a few themes or life lessons that you have come across in your reading that seem particularly important to you and share it with your club. You need to be able to explain why that lesson might be important to your life.

Sophisticated readers of fantasy Research the setting (What kind of place is it?). Ask about power– who has it, evidence, kinds of power. Learn alongside the main character. Keep track of mulitplie problems. Suspend judgement about characters and places. Read metaphorically by Considering the “dragons” characters face Applying life lessons learned in fiction to their own lives.