About This Book
This poignant novel follows ten-year-old Elsa, a bright and joke-loving girl whose family is forced into temporary accommodation at a dilapidated bed and breakfast after her stepfather loses his job. As her mother struggles with depression and her stepfather with anger, Elsa tries to keep spirits up with her humor, navigating the stigma of homelessness, making unlikely friends, and ultimately finding her own bravery in a crisis. It's a realistic portrayal of poverty and resilience, offering a window into a challenging life with a hopeful, empowering message.
A fabulous new look for this ever-popular Jacquelin Wilson tale of life in a bed and breakfast hotelWhere do baby apes sleep?In apricots!I'm Elsa, and that's one of my jokes (I tell LOTS of jokes and I'm going to be a big star one day). I do my best to cheer my family up - but no one seems to laugh much any more. Not since we lost our lovely house and had to move into a bed and breakfast hotel...
Concepts
Resilience & PerseveranceLove & FamilyLoneliness & BelongingSelf-Confidence & IdentityFear & BraveryEmpathy & KindnessAnger & FrustrationSadness & GriefJustice & FairnessCreativity & ImaginationFriendship & LoyaltyFinancial HardshipMovingBeing DifferentMaking FriendsGrowing UpFamily & SiblingsFriendship & SocialSchool Life
peril_danger
family_conflict
poverty_themes
parental_depression
Discussion Prompts
1
How does Elsa use humor to cope with difficult situations? Do you think it helps her family?
2
What challenges do Elsa and her family face living in the Royal Hotel? How do they try to overcome them?
3
Elsa makes friends with Naomi and Funny-face. How do these friendships help her?
4
What does it mean to be resilient? How does Elsa show resilience throughout the story?
5
If you were Elsa, what would you do to help your family feel better?
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