Novel Studies written by Jenny Mendick for use in the upper primary and junior secondary classroom.
All of these novels are available through A Suitable Book bookshops in Bungendore NSW and Kingston ACT.
ON LOAN By Anne Brooksbank
On Loan has been written from Lindy's point of view
1) Recount the story of Lindy in your own words from Geoff's point of view.
2) Tell the story from Le's point of view.
3) Do you think Marj had reason to be upset? Explain.
4) Which part of the story did you like the most? Why?
5) On page 73 Minh says she sometimes wished she'd been given away like Linda was. Who do you think had the better life? Why?
6) How did Le and his brother differ in their approach to the war in their country? Pg. 63 and 64 explain this. Who do you think was right? Why?
7) Do you think Lindy made the right choice about returning to Vietnam? Why?
8) Do some research about Vietnam and then tell the story of Lindy's return to Vietnam. What did she see? Where did she visit? How did her sisters and brother react? What did her father do? Did she stay or return to Australia? Answer all of these questions but in story form.
9) Where do you think Lindy would feel most comfortable living, Australia or Vietnam? Why?
10) What do you think Australian authorities should do with refugees who arrive illegally by boat?
ONION TEARS BY Diana Kidd
Write the heading Onion Tears by Diana Kidd in your reading book and complete the following tasks.
1)Nam's memories of her home give information about life in Vietnam. Read the following pages and compile a list of facts about Vietnam. (Pages 10, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 30, 46)
2)Retrace Nam's experiences in escaping from Vietnam. Illustrate one frame from each of the following pages and add a caption(Pages 23, 39, 47, 59, 63, 65) Draw these pictures inside the six boxes.
3)Complete the comprehension. Remember to answer in complete sentences.
4) Create a story timeline of the main events in the story.
5) Recall the main characters in the story and create a mindmap web picture that shows the relationship between the characters.
6) How do the animals in the story help Nam Huong with her problems?
7) Look up the following words in your dictionary:-
communism, prejudice, refugee.
8)Predict the future for Nam-Huong. What do you think will happen to her?
9)Write the story of Onion Tears from another character's perspective.
eg. If the story was told by Aunty it would describe how she took in Nam and cared for her. If the story was told from Danny or Tessa's point of view it would be all about the funny new kid at school. You choose who you want to write the story.
Use the same style as Diana Kidd.
10)Find a Vietnamese recipe. Write it in your reading book using a procedural text style.ie. ingredients, method step by step instructions.
The China Coin by Allan Baillie
1) As you read the book write a sentence that summarises what the chapter is about.
2) Trace Joan and Leah's journey on the map.
3) Why do you think Allan Baillie wrote this book?
4) Illustrate one picture from these chapters 1, 3, 5, 8,14,24 and write a caption under each.
5) As Leah travels around China you learn facts about Chinese life and Chinese history. Record a fact from each of the following pages 14, 15, 18, 19, 26,36, 39, 49, 56, 59.
6)How does Leah's attitude towards China change?
7)Write five questions you would like to ask Leah about her experiences.
8)In a dictionary find meanings for tragedy, revolutionary, obelisk, democracy.
9)Should Australia take in refugees who were part of the Tiananmen protest and who live now in fear of their lives.
10) Research further what happened in Tiananmen Square in 1989.
SAVING ABBIE
Allan Baillie
1)This book is told as a series of smaller stories within the whole story. Outline the events as they unfolded in the novel.
2) Draw pictures, with captions, to show the word pictures of
Page 5 & 6 Abbie in room.
Page 9 Abbie and kitten
Page 23 Abbie and the ship
Page 58 Abbie before the shipwreck
Page86 Abbie with Ian leaving
Page 152 Abbie and baby
Page 199 Abbie on the river logs
Page 215 Let's go home.
3) In the novel a number of orangs are referred to by name. What are their names? There are at least ten.
4)What do the following words mean in the story
gadas pg.100
canopy pg.118
taut pg.195
klotok pg.20
Dyak pg.30
Stag pg. 212
5) Complete the attached sheets about orangutans and Tanjung Puting
6) Try rewriting the ending of the novel in a different way.
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Hannah's Winter by Kierin Meehan
1. Recount the story to page 34 from the mother's point of view.
2. Turn to page 196 and create a story map of the fantasy tasks that must be completed to help Kai.
3. What is the festival Setsubun about and when is it held?
4. On page 161 what is the noren?
5. Find ten Japanese words or expressions and write their English translation next to them.
6. Draw eight pictures of the most important or interesting parts of the story and label them.
7. Write three haiku poems that describe the novel and show you are not 'poetically disadvantaged'.
8. Imagine you have seen a ghost in your house. Write a story about how it appeared and what steps you will take to set it free. Try to have at least five.
9. The cover of the book is a lovely juxtaposition eastern culture mixed with western.. The donut and the chopsticks. Draw three other pictures that unite or contrast Eastern and Western culture.
10. Did you enjoy the fantasy in this book? If the fantasy wasn't in the book how could this story have developed. Use your knowledge of Japan to write a more factual story for Hannah.
NO NAME BIRD Josef Vondra
1) Draw and label the map of East Timor as drawn on page opposite Contents.
2) Write a brief recount of what the story is about.
3) Draw a family and friend tree for Jose including all the characters in the story and how they relate to each other. Include in your character map Big Red, Carmillo etc.
4) Draw pictures from each of the following chapters:-The Tree of Life, Flight to Balibo, Adolfo buys a bird, The blonde lady is angry, Trying to find safety, Marconi, Run for the Airport and The letter from Timor.
5) Find ten facts about East Timor on pages 3, 4, 5, 7,10, 31, 40, 55, 109, 142.
6) What did Jose become? How do you know this?
7) Why do you think Adolfo went back at the end of his life to the Tree of Life?
8) Do some research about what happened to Australian journalists at Balibo.
9) Who were the groups of people referred to in the novel as 'the hotheads'?
10) In the novel the blonde lady was upset by the cockfight.
Write an argument for or against cockfighting as a sport.
11) What are three things you found interesting in this story?
12) What are three new things you learnt?
13) Why did Jose go to Lisbon? And would it be possible for him to return to East Timor now?
14) Complete some research about Xanana Gusmao or Jose Ramos Horta.
THE LONGEST WAR
BY NANCY ANTLE
1)Briefly recount the main parts of this book.
Put each section under headings Beginning Middle and End.
2)Did reading this book change how you thought about war? Explain.
3)The war memorial in Canberra is a special place for war veterans and their families. Having read this book tell a story about a war veteran and/or his /her family visiting this War memorial on ANZAC day.
4)58,000 Americans died in the Vietnam war. Imagine the impact on America if all these people have families similar to Lisa. Do you think building a memorial wall is enough for these families?
Parvana's Journey by Deborah Ellis
Before Reading the Book
From what you heard and saw on television during the war in Afghanistan what do you know about Afghanistan.
Write down five questions you have about life in this country during the war.
Read the Book
Create a time line showing the sequence of the story.
This can be a story map or drawings made of different parts of the journey in the order in which they happened. If you don't want to draw you can write about places Pavarna encounters on her journey in the order in which they happened.
Record five pieces of information you learned from reading the book
Look at the glossary and sort the words into different categories eg. Food, clothes religion
Were your five questions asked before reading the book answered by the author who wrote this book? Explain.
How would this story have been different if Parvana and Asif had found a box of treasure? Write your alternative ending.
Examine ways this book might be helpful to you and your classmates.
Create a new title for this book and draw a different cover.
Draw a favourite scene from the book
On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate this book. Write why you have chosen this rating
Do you believe you could have done what Pavarna did? Explain
Who would you recommend this book to and why?
Boy Overboard
Morris Gleitzman
Recount five major events from the story in the order in which they happened.
Draw pictures of these major events
Locate five words in the story that are unfamiliar to you. Look them up in a dictionary and write a definition next each of them.
Record three facts and three opinions from the story and write the page you found them on.
List four ways Jamal and Bibi are the same and four ways in which they are different.
Design a set of ten questions a teacher might ask students who have read boy overboard.
If Jamal came to our school would he be your friend? Explain your answer. What are three questions you might as him?
Why do you think Morris Gleitzman wrote this book? Read the page that begins dear reader before you answer.
Suppose you were asked to make three changes to the story to make it better. What would they be?
Create a different cover for the book. What would you give this book as a rating out of ten. Why?
The Garden of Empress Cassia
By Gabrielle Wang
Retell the story in your own words.
Write a brief description of the characters in this book.. Write the character's name and three important things you are told about the character.
If you could design the perfect garden what ten features would it have in it.eg.
A waterfall/a wooden seat etc.
Draw a plan for your garden. Pretend you are viewing it from above.
Research what three different herbs are used for.
Write a different ending for the story. What if when Dr. Lu returned he was very angry with Mimi and he took the magic crayons away from her. Or what if Gemma, Phoebe and Eliza begin to waitress in Mrs. Lu's teahouse? You change the ending in some way.
Using art paper and crayons draw the garden of Empress Cassia from the plan given in the back of the book
Using chalk go out and create a masterpiece on the cement outside that is 50 cm long and 50cm wide. You can draw whatever you think will be beautiful. Try to imagine your chalk is magic as you draw.
You have been asked to write a review for the Giralanger about this book. Write what you would like others to know about this story. Who would it be good for? (What age group) What did you learn about the Chinese Australian's life? Did it help you to understand differences in people? What would you give it out of ten?
Grave of the Roti men.
By Geoff Havel
1.In approximately 150 words or less retell the important events in this story
2. List five different things you found out about Indonesia through reading this book.
3. Compare and Contrast life on the island of Roti with life in Australia. Talk about what they say, what they eat, what they do, where they live and life in general.
4.Do you think it is fair that Australia has rules about the Roti fishing boats? They must have no motor and no radio if they want to fish in traditional fishing grounds. Pg. 60. And Pg 83 Doesn't this just make it more dangerous for the Roti men? Does this matter?
5. Husni is a muslim. What are three facts you learnt about the Muslim faith from reading this book?
6. Illegal fishing means these men have to pay a high price. If caught they lose their boat and have to pay huge fines to the Australian Government.
Can you think of a different punishment or means of assistance that would be more effective in helping these already very poor people?
7. Do some research on Captain Bligh and his trip to the island of Roti. When did it occur? Why did he travel there?
8. The school described in this book sounds very poor. What could you do to help improve these students education?
9.Think about when Aaron's dad helps Lazarus by giving him money to help his sick daughter. What values and ideas are being demonstrated by the main characters here?
10.Did this book make you want to go and visit Bali and other Indonesian islands? Why or Why not? Explain your answer.
Abdullah's Butterfly by Janine Fraser Unit designed by my intern student Shannon Jones
BEFORE READING Using the title and front cover, predict what you think the story will be about.
1. Retell the story from Abdullah's Grandfather's point of view.
2. Find five Malaysian words from Abdullah's Butterfly. Write a definition for what you think each word means in English
3. Write a letter to the author Janine Fraser. Include your opinions about the book, what parts you liked, and express what impact the book had on you.
4. Think about the descriptions of Malaysia the author conveys to us (pp 9,11,17-19,56,). Pretend you are a tourist in Malaysia. Create a postcard using the attached sheet. Draw a picture on the front that depicts a part of Abdullah's life. On the back, write the postcard to someone back home in Australia. Remember to describe your surroundings.
5. Create a different ending for the story.
6. Describe four differences and four similarities between Abdullah's life and your own.
Eg) Similarity - Abdullah catches a bus to school and so do you.
7. Think about Abdullah's reasons for wanting to catch the butterfly, and also the tourist's reasons for wanting the butterfly to be free. What are your opinions about catching wildlife? Do you think they would differ if you lived in another part of the world?
8. You have decided to visit Malaysia over the school holidays. Research the country and create a fact file which will help you when you are over there. Some things to consider are: map, currency, population, language, capital city, religion etc
9. Draw a picture from your favourite scene in the book.
10. Why did Abdullah's mother want him to work so hard in school? Do you think your parents think the same way? State your reasons.
11. Using the description of the butterfly on page 15, draw or paint a butterfly on A3 paper.
Motherland
The other side of my heart. By Vineeta Vijayaraghavan
(Ideal novel study for Junior Secondary girls interested in learning about life in India)
1.Recount the beginning of this novel explaining why Maya had gone to India, who she hoped to visit and how she felt about the whole experience in the beginning. Explain why she refers to Motherland being the other side of my heart.
2. Give examples of 6 passages in the novel that describe Indian life and countryside. See pages 9,14,19,17 for some ideas.
3.On page 99 the tailor comes to make clothes for Madhur. Pretend a tailor was coming to your house and you could choose six dresses or outfits from magazines, which dresses would you pick and where would you choose to wear them? Compare buying clothes in a shop to buying from a magazine picture. What are the advantages and the disadvantages?
4.Compare your life in Australia to Maya's family in India? Consider her lifestyle, her family, her food and her customs and rituals.
5.Imagine if in Australia arranged marriages took place and you were asked to serve afternoon tea to people to show that you would make an ideal wife and future daughter in law, what would you serve? How would you feel? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the parents organizing marriages for their children.
6.The cover of Motherland is a collage of Indian symbolism. Create a collage of Australian symbolism and write motherland somewhere on the collage. Remember the importance of the colour scheme you use.
7. Explain what the author was talking about when she wrote that 'Something curdled inside me (Maya) when I realized Sanjay uncle was not mentioning Rupa.' Do you think such a situation would ever happen in Australia. Explain your answer.
8. From the story it is clear that the ritual of death is very different in India. Describe this ritual and research the death ritual in another Asian country.
9. Rewrite the ending of the story as if Ammamma died in Australia and her funeral was here and the burial was an Australian one.
10. Research how tea is made in India and what life is like in villages where tea plantations exist.
11. Maya's family was wealthy, tell a part of the story from one of the servants' points of view. How would your life be different with servants in your house?
The Dragon keeper
By Carole Wilkinson
1.In diary form recount the stages of the journey from the rat Hua's perspective.
2.In your own words write an information report using all the facts you now know about dragons having read the book.
3.Discuss whether you believe Ping would have been better off staying as a friend of the emperor.
4.Rewrite the ending with Ping, Danzi, Hua and the dragon stone staying in the Garden of Secluded harmony.
5.Search for ten of Danzi's philosophical statements and write them on a wall poster.
6.Draw six of your favourite scenes from the novel.
7.Write your own dragon story.
8.Do some research on cloud seeding. Is it possible to make rain? How is it done?
9.Research three different places where dragons are said to have once existed.
10.Using the pronunciation at the back of the book write the Chinese surnames using Chinese characters found at http://www.ocrat.com/chargif/surnames.html
