About This Book
Sonya Hartnett's "The Ghost's Child" is a deeply contemplative and whimsical fable, perfect for children aged 4-11. The story begins when an elderly woman named Maddy finds a mysterious child in her living room. She then embarks on telling him the extraordinary tale of her life, her profound love for the wild and free-spirited Feather, and her epic, fantastical journey across vast seas to find him. This book beautifully explores themes of self-acceptance, unconventional love, resilience, and the choices that shape who we become. It's a sophisticated narrative that can be enjoyed as a magical adventure by younger readers and appreciated for its nuanced symbolism and emotional depth by older children and adults.
When a mysterious child appears in her living room one day, the elderly Maddy tells him the story of her love for the wild and free-spirited Feather, who tried but failed to live a conventional life with her, and her search for him on a fantastical voyage across the seas.
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Discussion Prompts
1
What do you think the mysterious child represents?
2
Maddy's love for Feather was unconventional. What does "unconventional" mean, and why do you think Maddy chose that path?
3
What kind of choices do you think Maddy made that shaped her into the person she became?
4
If you could go on a fantastical voyage, where would you go and what would you be searching for?
5
What does it mean to be "free-spirited" like Feather?
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