ore information about the author can be found at www.louissachar.com.

A few highlights from the site:

• Bradley is one of the author’s favourite characters in all his books.
• Carla was based on his wife (Carla!) who was a councillor in the elementary school he taught at.
• Redrafting is really important for him.
• The idea of reading all books by a favourite author – interesting discussion with teachers and children. He suggests trying to work out what it is that make them good and emulating that.
• the story itself: the characters, the issues it raises and how it addresses some of them.
• the structure/style: how it’s structured: with the interludes of the animals reflecting/revealing Bradley’s situation/state of mind; the key moments/turning points; the length of the chapters; the way the pace is kept up; writing techniques/sentence structures we can teach the children. (It is so accessible but really well written I think: e.g. compared to someone like Jacqueline Wilson, the sentences are so interestingly constructed; very efficient style! – complex sentence heaven! Also speech revealing character?
• It’s application in the classroom: I’ve found it a great book to develop children’s stamina: we started it as a guided read a few weeks before half term and then I asked them to finish it over half term; it has prompted engaging and in-depth discussions. It’s so accessible that it enables you to work on some of the complex inferences with children: how characters change over time, comparing characters’ responses etc. Also, can prompt discussions such as should children be grouped by age or attainment? (topical!) I would use it as a whole class text, if nothing else for the discussions of behaviour, reasons for behaviour, self-esteem, choices, changes. Drama might include dramatising the various discussions around carla; hotseating at key moments: after the fights, when Carla leaves, after the birthday party. Could focus on diary writing at 3 stages of the book, looking at how Bradley is changing and the reasons for it. A quick task might be Carla’s reply to Bradley’s letter at the end of the book. It might be great to go on to look at Holes and compare/contrast them. Then also could compare Holes film and novel.
• Linked books: e.g. is it Simon James (Dear Greenpeace) who wrote Leon and Bob? Wonderful story (I know I always bang on about it!) about a boy who has an imaginary friend and doesn’t need it anymore when he makes a real friend.

A couple of key references for you

p.22,23 difference between what Bradley says and thinks re: Jeff.
p.25 There’s a boy in the girl’s bathroom!
p.35 Why did Bradley say he went in? Instinctive lie? First sign of his humanity?
p.56 first fight.
p.66 Jeff turns against Bradley.
p.81 the list.
p.88,89 Carla and Bradley, monster discussion – turning point?
p.94 second fight.
p.107- homework.
p.131 Bradley joins in with the basketball game.
p.149- Concerned Parents’ meeting.
p.158 Carla tells Bradley she’s leaving.
P.162 Ronnie dies.
p.164 Bradley gets a gold star.
p.180- Colleen’s birthday party.
p.194 Bradley sends Ronnie to Carla.