Have students write a quick journal response: If I had a ‘monster’ that represented something important in my life, what would it be?
Challenge members to find and share examples of symbolism in the book. Use visuals or bring items that represent these symbols.

Challenge everyone to perform and share an act of kindness.

Share aloud for a quick recap.

Make a T-chart on chart paper: Then vs. Now.

Talk about why chimneys were dangerous for sweeps and connect it back to the book.

Ask students to create a picture of Nan and Charlie together or another moment that stood out.

Share and explain their choices.

Focus: Getting to know Charlie, her wishes, and her new setting

• Discussion Starters:

  • What do we learn about Charlie in these first chapters?

  • Why do you think she makes the same wish every day?

  • How does she feel about moving to Colby, and how would you feel in her shoes?

• Activity: Wish Jar

  • Each student writes a personal wish on a slip of paper.

  • Collect them in a “Wish Jar” for the group (you’ll return to this at the end of the book to see how wishes compare to Charlie’s journey).

Focus: Friendships and belonging

• Discussion Starters:

  • How is Charlie’s friendship with Howard developing?

  • What do you think about Howard’s family compared to Charlie’s?

  • What role does Wishbone play in Charlie’s life so far?

Focus: Growth and empathy

• Discussion Starters:

  • How does Charlie’s view of Howard’s family change?

  • Do you see Charlie starting to grow or soften? Where?

  • Why do you think Wishbone sticks with Charlie?

Focus: Resolution, family, and themes of love & belonging

• Discussion Starters:

  • How did Charlie change from the beginning of the book?

  • Which relationships ended up being the most important for her?

  • What do you think the book is really teaching us about family and belonging?

• Activity: Reflection + Kindness Chain

  • Pull out the Wish Jar from Week 1—read a few aloud and compare to Charlie’s wishes.

  • Then, start a Kindness Chain: each student writes one kind action they can do to make others feel included.

  • Link them into a chain and hang it as a reminder of Charlie’s journey.

1. Would you rather have a monster as a best friend or a magical talking pet?

2. Would you rather your monster change shape whenever it wants or disappear whenever it wants?

3. Would you rather explore a haunted forest at night or a mysterious abandoned mansion?

4. Would you rather your monster could make you invisible or give you super strength?

5. Would you rather have a monster that is funny and silly or mysterious and spooky?

6. Would you rather keep your monster a secret from everyone or introduce it to the whole town?

7. Would you rather your monster could speak any language or understand every creature?

8. Would you rather ride on your monster’s back anywhere in the world or have it fly you through dreams?

9. Would you rather your monster grow bigger when you’re happy or shrink when you’re sad?

10. Would you rather spend a day cleaning up a magical mess your monster made or solve a monster’s riddles to escape?

11. Would you rather your monster sing instead of roar or dance instead of walk?

12. Would you rather discover a hidden world of monsters or have your monster hide a magical treasure for you?

13. Would you rather your monster scare away bullies or make friends for you wherever you go?

14. Would you rather teach your monster a new trick every day or have it teach you a new skill every day?

15. Would you rather your monster live inside your closet or live in your backpack?

16. Would you rather your monster be invisible to adults or invisible to other kids?

17. Would you rather explore a monster’s lair or enter a monster’s dream?

18. Would you rather your monster help with homework or play pranks on teachers?

19. Would you rather your monster never sleep or sleep all the time?

20. Would you rather have your monster’s magical powers for a day or teach someone else to control them?