reading2009

Chapter One - Ranges Questions...

What happened to ben at school? He mucked up his speech and then he got teased about it Why did it upset him? Because nobody likes being teased

how would you describe how uncle rick lives? Messy and unorganized Do you know anyone who lives like that? No

What does uncle rick think has happened to his computer? Someone went into it Does this seem believable? Yes Why or why not? People barge into other peoples personal life all the time

What does Ben’s mother want to do that worries Ben? She wants to go to hawaii with a man Why does it worry him so much? Ben thinks that the man will brake his mothers heart or his mother will forget about him

What happened to uncle Rick’s pigeons? They were murdered How do you feel about this? Sad, Because pigeons are wonderful creatures

Finding Yourself Activity!

How many positive messages did you circle? 2 / 4

What does that tell you about yourself? Nothing, absolutely nothing.

If you had to put your feelings in to one sentence - what would that sentence be?

Mix ‘n’ MatcH

Chapter Two - Life Skills and Management Questions... Where do you think Ben’s Dad is? In England like his mother said. What do you think has happened to his family? His Mum and Dad had an argument and broke up. How do you think Ben feels about this? Upset, he would probably prefer to have a father in his life.

Why did Ben feel like his birth had ruined his mother’s life? He feels as though if he had never been born then his mother would have gone further in life.

Why does Ben look different from his Mum and Uncle Rick? He

What were the two men doing at Uncle Rick’s house? Searching for evidence against them.

What was Ben scared he would find as he searched the house? Uncle Rick’s Dead Body.

Chapter Three - Exploring other ways to Be

What clues did Uncle Rick Leave for Ben? He Left a note written in soap in the bathroom that said... ‘Fed birds 31’.

What other clues helped Ben figure out Uncle Ricks movements and timing? All the hot water was gone because it’s normally all gone after Uncle Ricks had a shower.

What do you think Ben means by the ‘what ifs’? What could happen if he had done something else.

Do you think Uncle Rick was right to leave Ben Home alone? No it was unfair on Ben. Is this against the law? Yes. Why? Because he is under 14 years of age.

Why didn’t Ben ask the neighbors to feed the cat? He was worried that his mother might ring and ask for him.

What materials did ben use to make picture frames to sell? Plastic toys from Mc Donald's spray painted gold.

...Be Social... Call up a friend, go to a funny movie, hang out with your mates. Choose the people that build you up, not knock you down.

Blunder Men The red blunder man is not so good he crawls into your mind when you reach an age of around 12, and does a hypnotizing method known as puberty. This is what the yellow blunder man tries to stop, one minute you are grumpy and horrible to people (Red Blunder Man) then you become yourself (The Help of the Yellow Blunder Man) social and you begin to listen to other people

Chapter Four - What we really Think.

What had Ben told people about his father when he was a little boy? That he was on a business trip. Why did he do this? So people thought he had a full family.

What kind of food did Ben’s mother usually insist he eat? Healthy Why? So he didn’t turn into a coach potato.

What did Ben buy on the ferry? Coke, a mince pie, and some fake blood.

Who did he think he heard giggling in the cafeteria? The men who Uncle Rick was hiding from.

What made Ben feel sick? A man threw up in the cubical next to him.

What happened to his walkman and backpack? It was stolen.

What did Ben’s mother promise to wear the first time she appeared in court? Fake blowfly earrings.

Chapter Five - Helpful or Hindering?

How do adults in this chapter treat Ben? They don’t really care about his bag and walkman or how he’s going to survive without them.

What did Ange do to help him - on the ferry and at Picton? On the ferry Ange gave Ben some food, and at picton she bought him a bus ticket. What do you think she is up to? I think she likes him.

Where do you think all of her money came from? Ange stole it from her parents.

Why is Ben so worried when he spots the Owl and the Weasel with the policemen? He doesn’t want to get caught on his way to Uncle Rick. What do you think the police symbolize to him? Ben thinks that they are going to catch him.

I think it’s important not to judge and label people you don’t know - just like that old saying... ‘don’t judge a book by its cover.’ High expectations can be really exhausting and while you think they don’t mind they really do. How would you feel if you had lets say your mother breathing down your back with her camera waiting for you do something interesting so she can boast about it to her friends saying how much of a good plumber you are going to be, just like your father. What if you don’t want to be a plumber.

Chapter Six - Making Judgements

What did Ange’s answer about her age (16 in september) tell you about her? She was running away.

What slowed the bus from Nelson, so they missed their connection to Williams Town? The van hit a sheep.

What did Ben tell Ange he’d inherited from his father? Sweat problems. What about Ange? Loud mouth. What do their parents have in common? Ben’s mother and Ange’s father are both layers

What’s so special about Rimu trees? They take years to grow that big and now they are just going to chop them down.

What did Ben’s mother liken ‘selective logging’ to? Plucking eyebrows.

Whose needs was Ange REALLY meeting when she offered to stick with Ben after the bikers incident? Her own.

I AM POEM ACTIVITY

First stanza I am Crazy and Unique I wonder What birds would say if they could speak I hear a lawn mower tearing up the grass I see grey clouds pass I want to get out of this class I am Crazy and Unique

Second stanza I pretend to look happy when I’m having a bad time I feel some strange urge to rhyme I touch the shimmering water on the lake I worry about the decisions my friends make I cry for unknown reasons I am Crazy and Unique

Third stanza I understand why we die I say no one should ever be afraid to cry I dream about clear blue skies I try to be a good friend I hope I’ll leave my life happy in the end I am Crazy and Unique

I AM POEM ACTIVITY - about someone else

First stanza I am Loud and Proud I wonder if you could capture a cloud I hear snickering chuckles from a sly fox I see the river disappearing past the cold hard rocks I want to feel joyful all the time I am Loud and Proud

Second stanza I pretend I’m a strange animal lurking about I feel like a teapot short and spout I touch the long brown grass struggling with thirst I worry sometimes if this keypad with burst I cry when Rose let go of Jacks hand I am Loud and Proud

Third stanza I understand why pirates steal loot I say that almost anything small is cute I dream about butterflies fluttering by I try to be cool and it works I hope nobody minds my crazy little perks I am Loud and Proud

Chapter Seven - Power Dynamics

How does Ben react when he realizes Uncle Rick’s tape is ruined? Shocked for a moment then he acted as though he was a total idiot. What ruined it? Glue Ben had used to make smidly’s cat feeder.

Why didn’t Ben want to hitchhike? Because his mother would never have let him so he definitely shouldn't. What did he think his mother would do if she found out? Kill him (fugitively)

What happened to Ange when they accepted the lift with the man in the ute, and how did Ben rescue her? Ange was touched by the man in an uncomfortable manner therefor Ben was to rescue her by acting mentally challenged.

What place did Ben picture when he thought of Hell? A special learning centre which was supposed to help his learning. Why? Ben felt uncomfortable around all the mentally challenged people.

What had once made Lyell a prosperous town? They found gold and started mining therefor more attracting tourists and miners to view their work. What do you think happened to it? The mine stopped producing gold so they shut it down and blew it up.

Chapter Eight - What is Truth?

Why was Archie so angry about the logging? His company wasn’t allowed to do the logging. Who was he angry at? Uncle Rick and his protesting crew.

Who did Archie think was controlling the logging? People from the city. Who did he think should control it? The company that he works for.

What does it mean when Ben says Uncle Rick is a pacifist? He doesn’t use bombs or weapons like a terrorist.

What do you see is the main differences between town people and country people? Town people don’t know how to get their hands dirty What do you base this on? I base this on the the fact that town people live in wide spaces and country people live in a small farms alongside animals and insects.

Chapter Nine - Cause and Effect

Why do you think Ange gets away with being so impulsive? She doesn't listen to people and she’s controlling.

What does she think when she sees the police cars? That her dad sent the police out to get her.

How did Ben finally remember the coded instructions to the camp? He got a wasp sting.

What did the Lady in the diary say that hinted at some kind of threat to the protesters? “they better watch out... Their gonna be awful sorry by tomorrow” then she clamped her mouth shut.

What did Ange overhear that got her so worried? They are planning on putting a bomb onto the politicians helicopter and blaming it on Uncle Rick.

Chapter Ten - Answering the “Call.”

What is a stalactite? It’s frozen water Does it grow up from the ground or down from the ceiling? Down from the ceiling

When Ange reads the sign aloud for Ben without him having to ask, what does this tell you about the change in their relationship? She’s starting to understand him.

Why do you think the protestors use codes on their walkie-talkies? Incase someone over hears

What do you think ‘code red’ means? Danger Where was Uncle Rick? In the forest

Chapter Eleven - Who is the “Pawn?”

Who do you think had grabbed Ben as he ran through the forest? Jinny Why? To get him away from the police

Why did the police go into the forest camp and arrest the protesters? Because they were trespassing What does it mean to refer to someone as ‘pawn’? The pawn is a small chess piece who you decide to kill off first. If you refer to someone as a pawn than that means you are ‘using’ them

What did Jinny use her money from her gold nugget to finance? Medical school

Chapter Twelve - Personal and Powerful

How did Sid get Ben into Waimatao? Ben hid in the tractor then Sid drove over to Waimatao. What do you think Jinny is referring to when she talks about the ‘Trojan Horse’?

What was the building Uncle Rick is hiding in once used for? Storage Why did Ben suddenly feel like crying when he saw uncle rick? Because he missed him

What is Jeremy Trainer up to? He wants to cut down all the Rimu trees Why does Ben have to get the disk back to Wellington by Monday morning? If he comes any later the lawyers might not be there

Chapter Thirteen - Taking the Lead

What security measures did Ben have to get through to escape Waimatao? Motion senses and electric fences What had Jinny managed to find out? Ange was taken from the station by a woman

Where do you think all her money came from? She earned it

Why is Ben so worried when he spots The Owl and The Weasel with the policeman? Because he doesn’t want to get caught What do you think the police symbolize to him? A threat

Chapter Fourteen - Rejecting the role of “Victim,” overcoming the fear.

How much did the taxi cost to take Ben home? $30 Where did he hide the disk once he got there? The cat biscuits

How did the two men get into the house? Font door was unlocked What did the Owl try to bribe Ben with? Warm dinner by the fire How did Ben free himself from the hand cuffs? hack saw

Chapter Fifteen - Staking a Claim

What was the code word Ben had to ask the lawyer for? Artomus What did it mean? Protector of children What was the original purpose for the code word? Ben’s Mother used it to get him into the car

What route did Ben take to reach the lawyer? Alley ways, through the bushes and on the bus. What made it difficult? The storm and cold weather How did Ben Hurt his arm? He stuck it out to brake his fall

Chapter Sixteen - Unique and Wonderful

Who stayed with Ben at the hospital? Ange Why was Ange wearing pajamas? Because she went to the hospital with Ben when it was night time

What happened to Jeremy Trainer after Uncle Rick’s information came out? He got arrested How did this save the trees? They are no longer going to get chopped down How did Ange get out of jail in westport? Her step mother picked her up

What did Con Bring to the hospital with him? Chicken and Chips What is Uncle Rick’s favorite phrase? Logic Smogic

Epilogue - Celebrate Your Strengths

How does Ben feel about his mother marring Con? A lot to take in What does he think about Con now? An alright guy

Where was the wedding taking place? Botanical gardens What time of the day was it? Mid day

How did Ben feel about giving a speech? He didn’t want to because he wasn’t very good at it What was the main message in it? How much his mother has helped him through out his life Why did his mother cry? Because she was so happy How did Ben feel when ange arrived? Very nervous