Beating the Frost - Level 25-26

Beating the Frost is a heartfelt narrative that follows Jack and the Krissler family as they navigate the emotional and financial challenges of losing half their cherry crop to a devastating frost. As Jack's eleventh birthday approaches, the family's hardships cast a shadow over what should be a celebratory time. Through Jack's introspection and growth, the story explores how adversity can reveal deeper values such as family, resilience, and selflessness. Rich in figurative language-metaphors, similes, and alliteration-this story encourages readers to engage with descriptive writing while reflecting on broader social and economic challenges. The text also presents real-world applications of science and technology in farming, connecting literary and STEM learning. Beating the Frost is an ideal resource for discussions around family dynamics, overcoming adversity, and the impact of environmental conditions on local communities.

Educational Benefits

• Supports analysis of character development and emotional resilience
• Enhances vocabulary through rich descriptive and figurative language
• Connects literature with real-world issues in agriculture and technology
• Provides a model for reflective and personal narrative writing

Classroom Ideas

• Discuss the effects of climate on agriculture and family livelihoods
• Create a timeline of Jack's emotional journey throughout the book
• Write personal reflections on overcoming a disappointment
• Compare and contrast Jack's experience with another character in literature

Safety & Information

• Suitable for ages 8+
• Book dimensions: 200mm x 180mm
• No small parts or consumables; safe for classroom use