Torn Away
In this novel, by James Heneghan, the main character is a young Irish boy caught up in the turmoil in Northern Ireland. After the death of his mother and sister, he joins a gang called the Holy Terrors. He is arrested and sent to live with his uncle and aunt in Vancouver, British Columbia. He resolves to get back to Ireland and runs away. After making a deal with his new family, he settles into like in Otter Harbor and makes friends with a native boy named Joe Eagle. When the time comes for him to leave, Declan realizes he has changed.
This novel study guide contains a sample end of the novel test and activities to match the skills of all students. There are easy. medium and challenging activities.
Sample pages
Page 36
Chapter 15
1.
Why did Declan think it was fitting that the bird on the calendar for
December was an eagle?
2.
What did Declan do to remind everyone that he was leaving in December?
3.
Why did he feel relieved?
4.
How had the death of his mother and sister changed him?
5.
What plans did he have for when he returned to Ireland?
6.
Why did Joe get undressed before he started wrestling?
7.
What did he think about Declan leaving Canada?
8.
What did Ana tell Declan about how he was changing?
9.
How does Ana feel about Declan? How do you know?
10.
Why
do you think Declan wasn’t handing in any work at school?
11.
Do
you think the students at the school like or dislike Declan? Give reasons for
your answer.
Chapter 16
1.
What does Declan remember about April 16?
2.
Why do you think Declan doesn’t cry at the funeral?
3.
What similarities does he see between the picture of Jesus and his Uncle
Matthew? What do you think this means?
Page 40
Creative Writing
Activity
3
The
author does not tell us what happens when Kate, Matthew, Ana,
and
Thomas find Declan waiting for them. Write another chapter for the
novel
telling what happens when they do.
What
happens when they return to Otter Harbor?
How
does Joe react when Declan returns to school?
How
does Declan change when he returns to school?
Creative Writing
Activity
4
The
author tells us that he got the idea for this story from a
photograph
he saw in the Times magazine.
Look
through magazines to find a photograph that interests you.
Work
through the writing process to write a story about that
picture.