What would you do if you found an alien on your way to school?

This is a discussion prompt for The Excuse by Allan Baillie. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

Do you think Pete should tell the truth, or try to make up a story?

This is a discussion prompt for The Excuse by Allan Baillie. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

Have you ever had to explain something really unusual to an adult?

This is a discussion prompt for The Excuse by Allan Baillie. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

What do you think the teacher will say when Pete tells his story?

This is a discussion prompt for The Excuse by Allan Baillie. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

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The Excuse

Name: The Excuse
ISBN: 9780140386592

by Allan Baillie

When Pete helps an alien fix its spaceship on his way to school, he faces a classic problem: will his teacher believe his wild excuse for being late?

About This Book

On the way to school, Pete comes across an alien whose spaceship has broken down. But will the teacher believe this excuse?

Concepts

Honesty & Integrity Curiosity & Wonder Creativity & Imagination Fear & Bravery School Life Puzzles & Games

Heads up, parents

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Wonderlit Review

Allan Baillie's 'The Excuse' offers a whimsical and humorous premise that will immediately capture young readers' imaginations. The story centers on Pete, a boy who encounters a stranded alien with a broken spaceship on his way to school. The central conflict revolves around whether Pete's teacher will believe this extraordinary excuse for his tardiness. This short chapter book, at just 61 pages, is a quick and engaging read, perfect for early independent readers or as a read-aloud for younger children. It gently introduces themes of honesty, imagination, and the challenge of being believed when you have an unbelievable story to tell. The emotional arc is lighthearted and fun, focusing on the absurdity of the situation rather than deep emotional turmoil. Parents might reach for this book when their child is interested in aliens, or when they want to spark a conversation about truth-telling in a playful, low-stakes context. It's also a great choice for reluctant readers due to its brevity and exciting subject matter. While the book doesn't delve into complex emotional handling, it normalizes the feeling of having to explain oneself and opens a door for discussing the line between imagination and reality. Its unique blend of everyday school life with a fantastical sci-fi element makes it stand out from typical 'honesty' books, offering pure entertainment alongside its subtle message.