The Blue Chair Mystery: Life Principle of Esprit de Corps

The Blue Chair Mystery takes readers across the United States following the travels of a comfy blue chair as it is moved by a diverse assortment of people who are united by esprit de corps - the commitment to be part of a “family” doing its job to help others. Like all good mysteries, the solution to the puzzle of why such different and distant people are moving the chair from place to place doesn’t come until the end of the story.
Esprit de corps may not be a common expression in the vocabulary of children, but the concept is an important one. The value that comes from being part of a team, class, family, or community committed to common objectives and also the value that comes from developing a bond among the members of that group can be an extremely rewarding and powerful force. The energy generated by esprit de corps might be directed toward an individual who is trying to establish an identity. (“Being part of this group makes me feel good.”) The energy may be directed toward the group itself. (“I enjoy working here, and I want to contribute.”) Or the energy of the esprit de corps may allow a person to support an idea or philosophy which is symbolic of the group. (“I believe in this cause and want to be part of it.”) Esprit de corps can provide the reward of a sense of pride, fellowship, and common loyalty that is shared by the members of a particular group.
The book includes supplement pages for use by teachers and parents featuring quotations, enriched vocabulary from the text of the story, subject/content area integration points, critical thinking questions, and writing/storytelling prompts.