Grandslam

‘I stood frozen, not knowing what to do. Then I saw beady eyes in the groundcover; making a bee-line for me! The eyes disappeared for a moment, then their brightness was replaced by a sudden bolt of lightning that lit up everything. My blood ran cold. I started screaming, too…

No way, Dad, I thought. You’re not fobbing me off this time. You wanted to make a man of me, so let’s see if I can do it.’

These two quotes come from the beginning and the end of the chapter, and show a rapid change in attitude in Michael. They also show an idea that has been flowing through the book – that Michael’s dad brought him tramping ‘to make a man of me’.

1. How do you think you would react if one of your parents had an accident in the bush? (Tiffanie)

2. In what ways has Michael changed from the beginning of the book?

3. What did you expect to happen to Michael, Greg and Doug?

…’maybe he’d taken me tramping expecially to tell me? Or did he think he had to tell me before I risked my life in the river? What I had done could have killed me. I shivered.

Or maybe he had taken me tramping especially to tell me. This was the one situation where he could guarantee a conversation not interrupted by the television, phone or PlayStation.’

This extract from the book gives an idea of what Michael was thinking  as he went over the events since his dad hurt his ankle. His thoughts are jumbled and confused.

However, Michael had triumphed over challenges that he found difficult on the first part of the journey. Now that he was in the position of rescuing his Dad, he needed to be in control – at least till he got back to the hut and Doug. Then he was prepared to once again rely on an adult – not his, but Doug.

1. How did Michael gain so much courage? (Kosta, Sam)

2. How do you think Michael felt when Doug returned to the hut? Explain why.

3. Explain why Doug was so keen to drill Michael with information about tramping/ bushwalking skills.

‘What was I meant to say to that? That on the one hand, yes, I hated what was happening and would rather be out with my mates doing normal, safe, school holiday stuff? That I was scared stiff about going solo for my second-ever river crossing? Or should I tell him that this was the best thing we had ever done together? And anyway, how could I explain that I felt all those things at the same time? It didn’t make sense, even to me.’

The trek turns out a little differently than planned after Dad’s injury, and Michael learns quite a bit about his family, his dad and himself along the way. Venturing back to the hut solo was also quite an experience for him.

1. How did Michael gain all his confidence? (Trent)

2. Do you think Michael’s Dad trusted Michael going into the bush alone?(Kiarna)

3. How would you feel about crossing a swing bridge again, knowing the first time didn’t go so well? (Elisha, Johnny)
4. Why did Michael’s Dad only just tell Michael that his parents split up? (Shelley)

‘He was taking deep breaths and blowing them out hard. His face was screwed up with pain. He tried to edge himself into a sitting position, but winced as his leg moved. I knelt before him, no idea what to do.’

Things have changed for Michael now that his Dad was injured. Would the lessons given by Doug help along the way? Consider these questions:

1. How do you think Michael felt about the trip ahead of him? (Kurt)

2. How do you think Michael is going to get help from Doug without his dad by himself?

3. How do you think Michael felt when he saw his dad’s ankle?

4. How would you feel if you were in Michael’s position? Would you stay with your dad or leave him to get help? Why? (Georgia)

‘I breathed deeply and reached for the wires. The cold coils of metal made me shiver and I let go to wipe my palms on my top. When I grabbed the wires again, I was going dizzy. And I was still on firm ground.’

Michael faces many challenges as he begins the hike from the hut with Dad. But all the way, his father encouraged him – step by step. But at the end of the chapter it is his Dad who will soon face a challenge.

Consider the following questions:

1. What do you think was going on in Michael’s head when he was crossing the river?

2. Would you have the strength to do what Michael did?

 3. Why did Greg’s leg go into an unnatural position?

‘Doug crammed my head with how to do this, when to do that, what to look for, and the answers to every ‘what if?’ situation that could ever arise. I tied knots, wrapped bandages and learned how to perform a thousand miracles with a sharp pocket-knife.’

Michael found himself spending quite a bit of time with Doug – the stranger in the hut, when the weather turned too difficult to travel on. It gave Michael lots to think about, as he was bombarded with questions.

Try these questions:

1. Why was Doug teaching Michael bush stuff? (Ayden, Jessica)

2. Why do you think Doug and Greg were whispering? (Emellie)

3. What do you think happened to Doug’s hunting companion? (Lachlan)

4. How would you react to an insult like his haircut?  (Elisha)

In chapter 2, Michael and Dad reach the hut, and there, they meet Doug. Michael’s first description of Doug was:

‘A lanky figure was lumped in front of the fire, shoulders hunched like a big vulture. When it turned to look at us, my body jolted as if I had been zapped by electricity. I hoped it was only the shadows from the firelight that made the gaunt face staring at us so frightening.’

As the chapter goes on, Doug doesn’t reveal very much about himself, so there is an air of mystery about his past and who he is. However, at the end of the chapter, he begins to set up, to teach Michael about staying alive while tramping.

The following questions were asked for this chapter: (What did you think as you were reading this chapter?)

1. Who do you think Doug’s hunting companion was? (Lachlan)

2. Why is Doug so secretive? (Shelley)

3. If Michael was scared of the bushwalk why did he want to go on? (Kosta)

“From the start the whole thing had been like a bad joke. I hadn’t believed Dad wanted me to waste the first days of my holidays ‘up in the hills’ getting muddy and sweaty and tired. I thought he was trying to wind me up.”

So begins Michael’s journey – on a tramping trip with his Dad into the mountains. Read the following questions and make a comment on one of them, based on how you understand this chapter: (Be sure to read through the pages above on ‘Blogging guidelines’ and ‘Making comments’  – before you comment.)

1. Why was Michael’s dad so determined to go camping? (Lachlan, Kosta)

2. Imagine yourself as Michael’s father – would you be embarassed how clumsy your son was? (Kelvin)

3. What title would you give this chapter?

It was interesting today, as we discussed the details that the cover of a book can reveal to the potential reader. I, for one, still find the cover a little confusing, and was interested as others pointed out what they saw as they looked at the cover image.

For many books, the cover will decide if a reader wants to pick it up and read it, so it is important that it gives something to entice the reader in.

The different things which people focussed on as they looked the cover also gave broader ideas about what may lie within the book – before anyone had read a single word! It will be interesting to reflect on what actually came out in the story, compared to what people expected. Perhaps there are even a few new stories lying in wait in the minds of readers – after the story has come to its conclusion. (Different stories to be written with different conclusions?)

What we would like to do from here is to combine our efforts, to develop questions and comments about the book, in order to create a great class discussion. As you read, think about the story, questions you expect to be answered in the novel, and ideas or storylines you expect to be followed. We will record some of your questions for others to consider and answer as the story develops…

What really lies in store for Michael and his dad? What are your guesses at this stage?