Link to google folder on our novel study:
Aims of Our Novel Study -Why we are studying a novel.
· To understand key elements of a novel aimed at teenagers
· To learn to integrate sources of information by understanding references to Maori terminology, myths and culture.
· To gain confidence in writing poetic texts.
· To make connections by thinking about fictional ideas and ‘real-world’ historical events.
· To be able to form and communicate ideas and information clearly, drawing on a range of sources.
· To show an increasing understanding of how language features are used for effect within a novel.
· To understand that the order and organisation of words, sentences, paragraphs, and images contribute to and affect meaning.
- To organise and sequence ideas in a written essay.
Chapter One
What is Hamish doing at the beginning of the novel?
How does Hamish feel about his nickname 'Owl'?
What do you think has happened to Hamish's dad? Give 3 specific reasons from the novel why you think this?
How is Tama described when he arrives?
List 5 things that we are shown about Hamish's character?
Chapter 2
Hamish does not see the interesting pictures at first. Where does he see the pictures? (p.20)
What effect does it have by having the pictures hidden? (mystery, secretive)
How does Hamish plan to photograph the pictures? (p.23)
What do Tama and Hamish have in common? (p.26/p.28)
What tattoos does Tama have and are they significant in any way? (p.25)
What does the future hold for the farm? (p.29/30)
Chapter 3
Why do you think that Tama is reluctant to look at the pictures in the cave?
What significance do you think the drawing tools and stone have?
Is Hamish right to keep the pictures to himself?
Chapter 4
What does Tama learn about lambing?
What do we learn about Hamish’s character from the way he treats Tama?
Explain what this quotation shows you about Hamish, “That ache in his chest that came when he thought of Dad settled in his stomach, like a heavy stone.” (p.59)
Chapter 5
What does Hamish see in the fog? (p.62)
What is the simile comparing fog to and why (p.69)?
Chapter 6
What does Hamish find out about the bird?
In this book things are deceptive on their first appearance. Find two examples of this theme. (Tama’s appearance, the pictures in the cave, the bird attacking the sheep).
Chapter 7
How does the setting build up the atmosphere at the start of the chapter?
Why do you think Tama is reluctant to help?
How does Orwin build up a sense of isolation and so build suspense?
Chapter 8
Describe Tama’s uncle.
What has Hamish done to cause this problem?
How does Tama feel about his looks?
What does Tāua Gray do to help Tama feel better about himself?
Chapter 9
How does Hamish develop his understanding of the situation they are in?
Chapter 10
What does Hamish and Tama hear? Include details of the message.
Chapter 12
How are Hamish and Tama changing in the novel and in this chapter in particular?
Chapter 13
What do the following quotations mean? What do they show about characters/ ideas in the novel?
What comes before business according to Mr Xiang?
How is the sale of the farm resolved?
Chapter 15
What does this quotation mean “And as he cried, the tears dissolved the stone that had lodged in his stomach for so long and washed it away.” (p.198)
Why does Hamish feel as if “he had travelled a great distance”?
Aims of Our Novel Study -Why we are studying a novel.
· To understand key elements of a novel aimed at teenagers
· To learn to integrate sources of information by understanding references to Maori terminology, myths and culture.
· To gain confidence in writing poetic texts.
· To make connections by thinking about fictional ideas and ‘real-world’ historical events.
· To be able to form and communicate ideas and information clearly, drawing on a range of sources.
· To show an increasing understanding of how language features are used for effect within a novel.
· To understand that the order and organisation of words, sentences, paragraphs, and images contribute to and affect meaning.
- To organise and sequence ideas in a written essay.
Chapter One
What is Hamish doing at the beginning of the novel?
How does Hamish feel about his nickname 'Owl'?
What do you think has happened to Hamish's dad? Give 3 specific reasons from the novel why you think this?
How is Tama described when he arrives?
List 5 things that we are shown about Hamish's character?
Chapter 2
Hamish does not see the interesting pictures at first. Where does he see the pictures? (p.20)
What effect does it have by having the pictures hidden? (mystery, secretive)
How does Hamish plan to photograph the pictures? (p.23)
What do Tama and Hamish have in common? (p.26/p.28)
What tattoos does Tama have and are they significant in any way? (p.25)
What does the future hold for the farm? (p.29/30)
Chapter 3
Why do you think that Tama is reluctant to look at the pictures in the cave?
What significance do you think the drawing tools and stone have?
Is Hamish right to keep the pictures to himself?
Chapter 4
What does Tama learn about lambing?
What do we learn about Hamish’s character from the way he treats Tama?
Explain what this quotation shows you about Hamish, “That ache in his chest that came when he thought of Dad settled in his stomach, like a heavy stone.” (p.59)
Chapter 5
What does Hamish see in the fog? (p.62)
What is the simile comparing fog to and why (p.69)?
Chapter 6
What does Hamish find out about the bird?
In this book things are deceptive on their first appearance. Find two examples of this theme. (Tama’s appearance, the pictures in the cave, the bird attacking the sheep).
Chapter 7
How does the setting build up the atmosphere at the start of the chapter?
Why do you think Tama is reluctant to help?
How does Orwin build up a sense of isolation and so build suspense?
Chapter 8
Describe Tama’s uncle.
What has Hamish done to cause this problem?
How does Tama feel about his looks?
What does Tāua Gray do to help Tama feel better about himself?
Chapter 9
How does Hamish develop his understanding of the situation they are in?
Chapter 10
What does Hamish and Tama hear? Include details of the message.
Chapter 12
How are Hamish and Tama changing in the novel and in this chapter in particular?
Chapter 13
What do the following quotations mean? What do they show about characters/ ideas in the novel?
- A kaleidoscope of unwelcome images began to whirl in his head, the nightmares he’d avoided in his sleep. P.169
- Above them a clear sky arched, achingly blue. P.169
- Everyone had reverted to type, thought Hamish. P.171
- The matagouri bushes had lost their frosted toppings, and clumps of tussock were already showing through where the snow cover had been swept thin by the wind. P.173
- They’d both been helped. His father had been there for him. Just as Ruru had been there for Tama. P.177
What comes before business according to Mr Xiang?
How is the sale of the farm resolved?
Chapter 15
What does this quotation mean “And as he cried, the tears dissolved the stone that had lodged in his stomach for so long and washed it away.” (p.198)
Why does Hamish feel as if “he had travelled a great distance”?
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