This is a sample from the Journey Guide which corresponds with the chapter "Swept into Adventure".

Chapter 2 - Swept into Adventure

Not only Plymouth but also his parents have made lifestyle changes since the end of Gem of the First Water. The entire family has re-prioritised goals and behaviours.

Plymouth has a great job as an enrichment counsellor at a children's residential treatment facility. His duties as a counsellor are tough. Saturdays are devoted to an enrichment outing with one boy, having fun, getting to know him and attempting to understand him. The Travels of Plymouth begins on one of those Saturdays with the recalcitrant Jimmy. The night before his adventure Plymouth has an interesting dinner with Radino. At the close of the evening Radino returns Plymouth's cloak and a deer skin bag with one very important Pearl of Inquiry. Radino gives Plymouth clear instructs to put them in his sailboat.

Standing at the window Celeste sees the wind-sheering tornado bearing down on the lake and heading directly toward Plymouth and Jimmy in their little sailboat.

"You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do." - Henry Ford (1863-1947)

Pearl of Inquiry1

THEMES

• Dependability is essential to continuing friendships
• Balance between career and family are essential for stable family life
• Family projects give common goals and shared experiences (memories)
• Individual uniqueness
• Belonging
• Life having a purpose
• Personal honesty
• Forgiveness
• Contributing to the well-being of others
• Life long learning comes from discovering something new every day
• Hard work lends value to possessions
• Most goals/achievements require the skill to multitask as well as the support and investment of others

Questions To Stimulate Discussion:

1 What influence/result does dependability have on friendships?

2 What are the arguments for a parent staying at home, caring for children and running the household?
What could prevent this happening?

3 What changes did Plymouth's parents make during the interim between his first and second adventure?

4 Imagine for a moment living in out-of-home care, either in a group home or in foster care.
What obvious impact has this way of living had on Jimmy?
What might be some of the reasons for Jimmy's anger? List them.

5 Did Plymouth's family have fun together?

6 What characteristics do families that enjoy each other have in common?
Brainstorm with group: What things do your family do together?

7 In what ways did Plymouth receive help from friends and family in acquiring his car?
Can you identity people in your life who have contributed to your accomplishments?

8 What can you do to have an inquiring mind?
How can this attitude be of benefit to you?

ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE THE STORY

Suggestions for further thinking

• Study the life of Thomas Edison.
• How did he exhibit the quality of Inquiry?
• What were some other cardinal qualities in his life?