What is the purpose and intended audience of the book?
LO 3, AS 5:
3.
What is the climax of the novel and how does the author build up to it?
LO3, AS 6:
4.
Where and when is the novel set?
5.
As a class, brainstorm the following themes, explaining through which characters and events these themes are explored: a) Crime b) Friendship c) Loss d) Prejudice e) Teenage Angst
6.
Which of these themes can you relate to? Explain how.
7.
Which character did you like the most? Why?
8.
Which character did you like the least? Why?
LO 3, AS 8:
9.
What kind of prejudice does Buddy experience? Through which institution is this form of prejudice entrenched in British society? How is this different from the type of prejudice that Julius and Charmian experience?
LO 3, AS 9:
10.
Analyze the character of Buddy. Do you relate to him and the problems that he faces? Is his angst typical of the teenage experience? How so?
Questions on the Plot:
Chapter 1:
1.
For what purpose does Buddy steal the money? Why doesn't he just ask for it?
2.
Why was he surprised about his mother’s reaction that afternoon?
3.
What is "the big secret"?
4.
How do you feel about his mom's decision to leave? What impression do you have of her?
Chapter 2:
1.
Why does Buddy believe in his superstitions? What comfort do they give him?
2.
Describe Buddy's physical appearance. What does it indicate about his home circumstances?
3.
Why does Buddy laugh at the "banana" joke?
4.
Have you compromised yourself because of peer pressure? Explain.
Chapter 3:
1.
Why does Buddy and his dad fight?
2.
What do you and your parents fight over?
3.
How does Buddy's dad communicate his apology?
4.
Why do you think that people find it so difficult to apologize?
Chapter 4:
1.
What good news does Buddy's dad bring home?
2.
What topic had been playing on Buddy's mind, and how does his dad respond?
3.
What types of things do you feel anxious over?
4.
In your own words, summarize the story of # 56 Croxley Street.
Chapter 5:
1.
How does Buddy test himself, and why does he feel it necessary to do so?
2.
Why was Dennis so hostile towards Buddy?
3.
Why was Buddy so embarrassed about the packet of chips?
4.
Would you have felt embarrassed? Why / why not?
Chapter 6:
1.
In your own words, describe the exterior of # 56 Croxley Street.
2.
Draw up a character sketch of Julius based on his actions.
3.
What do they see through the postbox?
4.
What is the scariest thing you've ever experienced?
Chapter 7:
1.
Compare the Rybeero's household to Buddy's.
2.
Whose household more closely represents your household? Explain.
3.
Describe Buddy's relationship with Charmian. What "truth" had he shared with her?
4.
What suspicions does Buddy have about his dad?
Chapter 8:
1.
What does Buddy and his dad do together? Why is this significant?
2.
What do we learn about Terry's background?
3.
What objection does Terry have to Buddy's idea about driving for the Rybeero's?
4.
How does Buddy feel towards his dad?
Chapter 9:
1.
What is the basis for Buddy's fight with Siddell and Emma?
2.
What does Buddy find hidden in the couch? Why is this significant?
3.
What realization does Buddy come to regarding his mom?
4.
Have you ever taken responsibility for someone's unhappiness? What lead you to assume that you were responsible? Do you still feel that way?
Chapter 10:
1.
Who does Charmian meet? Describe her.
2.
How does she characterize the inhabitant of # 56?
3.
What does she accuse him of?
4.
What happens at 16h00 each day, and what opportunity does it give Buddy?
Chapter 11:
1.
In your own words, describe the interior of # 56 Croxley Street.
2.
In your own words, describe the Beast. What are your impressions about his character?
3.
How does Charmian react? What does this reveal about her character?
4.
What is the Beast's real name?
Chapter 12:
1.
How does Buddy's dad respond to his nightmare?
2.
What can Buddy's dad afford to do? Why is this significant?
3.
In what way did Buddy "spoil a good day"?
4.
Have you ever spoiled a good day? How did it make you feel?
Chapter 13:
1.
Why is Mr Normington's opinion so important to Buddy?
2.
How important are the opinions of others to you?
3.
What leads Buddy to feel compassion for his father?
4.
What common ground does Buddy's dad have with the Rybeero's?
Chapter 14:
1.
How does Buddy react to his visitor?
2.
How would you have reacted if you were in the same situation?
3.
What misconception does his visitor clear up?
4.
What does Buddy want that he can't have?
Chapter 15:
1.
What happens to Buddy's dad?
2.
What suspicions does the incident confirm?
3.
What is Buddy's concern?
4.
How would you have reacted in the same circumstances?
Chapter 16:
1.
What does Buddy want his dad to do?
2.
What does Terry ask Buddy to do?
3.
Was Buddy right to get involved? Why / why not?
4.
What is the nature of the relationship between Terry and Mr King?
Chapter 17:
1.
Where is Buddy planning on going?
2.
Why do you think he feels awkward when he arrives there?
3.
What does he ask his mum to do?
4.
What reasons does she give for why she cannot do it?
Chapter 18:
1.
Give details of Buddy's plan.
2.
Put yourself in Buddy's shoes. What would you have done?
3.
What ‘story’ do Buddy and Charmian tell Julius?
4.
What goes wrong with his plan?
Chapter 19:
1.
Who arrives at the house unexpectedly?
2.
Who is Terry concerned about? What does this reveal about Terry's character?
3.
Why did Buddy’s plan fail completely?
4.
Describe how you think Buddy felt.
Chapter 20:
1.
What is Buddy's initial concern?
2.
Why does Buddy decide to run away?
3.
Where does he spend the night?
4.
What advice would you have given Buddy?
Chapter 21:
1.
Describe his first night out in the country.
2.
Have you ever thought about running away? Why?
3.
What realization does Buddy come to? Why is this significant?
4.
Why does he decide to return to the city?
Chapter 22:
1.
Where does Buddy hide?
2.
What thoughts go through his mind?
3.
How is Ralph linked to the ‘haunted story’ of 56 Croxley Street?
4.
Why does Buddy leave the next morning?
Chapter 23:
1.
Where does Buddy go first?
2.
What surprising news does Joyce give him?
3.
Why is this news bittersweet?
4.
In what ways are things returning to normal for him?
Chapter 24:
1.
Why does Terry decide to plead guilty?
2.
What realization does Buddy come to about his dad’s sentencing?
3.
What hope do they have for the future?
4.
Did you find the ending of the novel satisfying? Suggest an alternative ending.
