Teaching resources and discussion guide for The Uninvited by Ross MacKenzie

This comprehensive schools resource and discussion guide accompanies The Uninvited by Ross MacKenzie – a gripping, imaginative and deeply thought-provoking novel.

Designed to support teachers and pupils throughout their journey with the book, this guide offers a rich blend of vocabulary work, comprehension checks, grammar and punctuation tasks, cross-curricular activities, and reflective discussion prompts that will help bring the novel vividly to life in the classroom.

Ross MacKenzie's storytelling weaves magic with real-world themes, tackling powerful topics such as migration, displacement, identity, and the search for belonging, all through the lens of fantasy and adventure. The dual protagonists, Samm and Ally, journey through enchanted realms and harsh realities, and pupils will be invited to think deeply about power, prejudice, friendship, imagination, and courage. Each section of the guide follows the structure of the novel and is packed with activities to suit a wide range of learning styles, from drama and dance to poetry, geography, art and debate. This resource supports literacy development while encouraging empathy, critical thinking, and creativity. Pupils are also guided to consider characters from multiple perspectives, engage in moral reasoning, and explore the use of language in building atmosphere, character and tension.

Whether you're reading the story aloud, studying it in guided reading groups, or using it to prompt wider writing and discussion, this guide will help you get the very most from The Uninvited. It’s ideal for upper KS2 and early KS3, and includes enrichment ideas to stretch more able learners or support class projects.

Above all, this is a story about hope, magic, and the power of doing good – a message that resonates across all subjects and age groups.