Notes for teachers and other adults

When it was first published, Step by Wicked Step took some reviewers' breath away. But it was hard to argue an author shouldn't write about a state of affairs that affects so many of our children. And, at heart, I think the adults who read the book simply shared the same shock I felt when, after walking my children to school under a giant billboard that declared, "Since You Passed This Poster Yesterday, Another 400 Children Were Affected by Divorce", I began researching the subject of what is often called 'reconstituted' families. I knew from the lives around me that parental separation was only the beginning of the complications for children. Often the really tough time comes when one parent or the other sets up home with someone new, and the children aren't ready. We have six stories in the book. Only five could be fitted into the radio adaption - and even that was a squeeze. Both book and radio adaption have the structure of boxes within boxes. The children's school visit to Harwick Hall provides both the outer frame and the explanation for why all five children should just 'happen' to be from broken families. Richard Clayton Harwick's longhidden journal provides an inner tale that triggers off, one by one, each of the stories of the listening children. I quite deliberately made the toughest emotional tale that of the Victorian child, Richard Harwick. Set in the past, with all the protagonists now lying safely in their graves, any child disturbed by the sheer antagonism between the prototypically overbearing and unfeeling stepfather and the young grieving Richard can comfort themselves that this sort of thing is part of 'history'. Those of us who know better - including a host of young readers whose depth of feeling and unhappy circumstances may mirror Richard's more than we care to think - can take the story more at its emotional face value. I've been a shade more protective in the other stories, sometimes by showing things well on the way to a happy ending (Claudia and Pixie's stories), or by showing how the sheer determination of a child can give strength and purpose (Colin's story). Ralph's story is a robust one from start to finish. I've tried to be honest about the lack of choices most children are offered, and the lack of real opportunity to speak frankly and openly about their feelings and situations to the adults around them. To this end, I've shifted through scores of perfectly normal 'case studies' of families after divorce, and picked what I worked out was a fair cross-section of scenarios and emotional states. If adults reading the book or listening to the adaption are startled by this, I think the only thing that I can say is, 'Look around you, and listen.' Because none of these stories is particularly unusual. (Colin's seems saddest, of course; but, from the numbers of runaways on our streets, I think we can assume that even Richard Harwick's story is commoner, even now, than we'd care to imagine.)

The book's been a great success in schools. There is, of course, the 'autobiography' element which can be mined to advantage. (Each child has a very distinct story-telling outlook and style.) The mix of sexes in the stories works well with classes of all sorts. The sheer 'domestic' element of the tales ("Our family's not like that." "My family is.") keeps up the interest. But, from the letters I get, what really seems to touch a nerve about Step by Wicked Step is the depth of the children's feelings. All too many tales for young children assume far too narrow an emotional range. Many children do enjoy 'fun', yes. But all of them, like adults, lead complicated and demanding emotional lives, often lived in strained and stretched families. In giving five of them so intimate and honest a voice, Step by Wicked Step empowers all who share the story. It was, emotionally, one of the hardest books I've ever chosen to write. But I only have to read the letters of children responding to it, to be glad I kept at it. End. Synopsis This novel is a tale that is both funny and moving. Five children are stranded together for the night in a tower of creepy, dark old Harwick Hall. In that stormy night, the children uncover the story of Richard Clayton Harwick which is very disturbing. It is a tale of a boy who of many years ago learned what it was like to have a truly wicked stepfather. Richard Clayton Harwicks long hidden journal provides an inner tale that triggers off, one by one, each of the stories of the listening children. It turns out eventually that they all have step parents, some kind, some bad, some just plain wrong and so they tell each other their stories. After listening to Richards story, each of the five tells his or her own. Their stories are powerful and intensely moving tales of children struggling with change and shifting family conditions Claudias story shows things well on the way to a happy ending. Claudia feels disloyal to her mum whenever she has a good time with her father and his new girlfriend, Stella. Thus, she is unfriendly towards Stella. Finally, in front of her Dads friends who are rude to Stella, she compliments Stella and makes everyone notice the lady. Colins story is moving. Colins seems the saddest. He had someone he thought of as his father and now he misses him so badly that it hurts. Colins mother leaves the only father Colin has known, a man she lived with for many years, and in her attempt to create a new life for herself does not see that Colin has been torn from a man he loves. Colin loves his stepfather, but hasnt seen him for five years, and is obsessively determined to find him. Ralphs story, though merry, is as complicated as a maze. He has three stepmothers to deal with. All of them are different in their ways. In addition, he has a lot of stepbrothers, stepsisters, half brother and half sisters to accept in his life. Ralph cannot keep track of which parents house he should go to after school each day, so his parents develop a lunchbox system: the Dumbo lunchbox means Dads house after school; the Mickey Mouse one directs him to his

mothers.Towards the end, we can see that he is anxiously waiting for his little half sister or half brother to be born. Pixie has to deal with two really irritating sisters. She hates to go over her dads house twice in a month. She feels that everyone is pretending to be in a happy family when thay are actually not. She has to deal with two really irritating stepsisters and father who pretends he doesnt notice how difficult things are for her.Soon, Pixie discovers that her stepmother and stepsisters arent any happier about the situation than she is. She learns to adapt to the situation. One of her step sisters teaches her mathematics and in return she tells ghost stories. Robbo and his sister, Callie find that their half sister, Dumpa is the problem. Both their Mum and stepfather, Roy keep on arguing. The arguments are mainly due to Callie. Callie never seems to see eye to eye with Roy. Both Mum and Roy are committed with each other just because of Dumpa, their three year old son. Eventually, Callie moves out to her Dads place and that solves the problem Each of their stories is different, but through the act of telling, and through the responses of the other children, each one learns more about his or her life. Plot The plot of a novel comprises of the series of events that make up the story. It shows the events and thoughts which make up the novels basic structure. It shows the arrangement of ideas and / or incidents that make up a story. Climax turning point

Rising Action problems and conflicts are revealed Exposition characters and setting are revealed. Falling Action resolutions to conflicts solved Resolution final outcome

Introduction Exposition One stormy night, five children are thrown together in a creepy tower, dark old Harwick Hall. Rising Action They explore the tower

Climax The discover Richard Clayton Harwicks room which is in a tower off the tower. Falling Action The find the long hidden journal that belongs to Richard Clayton Harwick. Resolution They decide to read the journal as they never get the chance to peep into other peoples life.

(Richard Harwicks Story) Exposition Richards father had fever and eventually he died. Rising Action Richards mother remarried. She married Mr. Coldstone who was a cruel man. Climax Richard left home as he was not happy with the situation. Falling Action Richard found the note on the captains table. He realized that his family was looking for him. He returns home and finds a letter written by his sister, Charlotte. In the letter, Charlotte reveals all the difficulties they had had to undergo. He realized that his mother was searching for him. Resolution He has to make a decision whether he should leave again.

(Claudias story)

Exposition

Claudias Mum and Dad quarrel a lot Rising Action Dad leaves the house to stay with Granny and later moves to Stellas. Claudia is sent to Stellas house all of a sudden and on that day Dad and Stella are having a party. Claudia excuses herself politely to be in her room during the dinner. Climax Wearing the green pyjamas given by Stella, she parades and makes a grand appearance at the party. She informs Stella that she likes the pyjamas. Falling Action Everyone starts noticing Stella and make a conversation with her. Resolution Claudia is happy for Stella.

(Colins Story) Exposition Colin lives with his mum and a man he assumes to be his father. He calls him Dad Rising Action Colin and his dad spend a lot of time together. His dad walks him to and fro from school and takes him to the park. Colin loves his dad very much. Climax Colins mum leaves the house and moves to another place. She finds a job at a canteen Falling Action Colin misses his dad very much. He even pretends to talk to him. Resolution He waits for the day when he will be able to find his dad.

(Ralphs Story)

Exposition Ralph has a big family. He has three stepmothers to deal with. Rising Action He manages to tolerate all of them Climax Flora, Stepmother number three is pregnant Falling Action He plans to help Flora to take care of his half sister or half brother. Resolution With the help of Mum, he sorts out the babys clothes.

(Pixies Story) Exposition Pixie goes over her fathers place twice in a month Rising Action Pixie hates her stepsisters habits Climax Hetty moves in Pixies room Falling Action Pixie and Lucy tells each other their feelings

Resolution Pixie learns to adapt to the situation

(Robbos Story) Exposition Robbos parents have splited up long ago Rising Action His sister Callie hates Roy, their stepfather. Frequent quarrels are seen in the house. Climax Roy is very adamant and refuses to speak or do things for the step children as before Falling Action Callie decides to move to Dads place. Resolution Mum helps to set up Dads home so that it would be comfortable for Callie. Conclusion The children feel proud to relate their stories. Everyones story is different. The message is not about solving the problems, but about simply dealing with them. Several of the stories are quite poignant, one is funny, and none reach a final resolution by the endone, in fact, is left hanging rather ominously. But all of the children have had a chance to express what theyre feeling, and to realize (along with readers) that they are not alone. Plot summary A group of children are spending the night in the creepy Old Harwick Hall, as part of a school trip. They are placed into certain groups, and Claudia, Colin, Ralph, Pixie and Robbo find themselves together. None of the group members are really best friends, but throughout the night they discover a secret that the old mansion has kept hidden for years, and they suddenly find themselves coming closer together and discovering why they were put in a group with each other. They are all wondering why they are put together, when they discover that they each had two different addresses on their permission slips, one for their mothers home and one for their fathers home. Each child comes from a divorced family. At least one of their parents has married again. Some children have to deal with either stepbrothers, stepsisters, or blood related siblings. They each in turn tell each other about how their parents broke up. It uncovers many mysterious questions.

Characters The group of school-children are the main characters in this novel. Each one has a difficult time at home, with divorced parents, or evil step-fathers. The children are Claudia, Colin, Ralph, Pixie and Robbo. They are all different, but find out they are linked in some way. Theme Theme refers to the central idea in the story. It is the main message that is more global in scope. It is the idea or point of a story formulated as a generalization. There are many themes in the novel.

a. All pain eventually heals and we have the power to change things for the better. b. Sheer determination of a child can give strength and purpose. c. Children lack choices and real opportunity to speak frankly and openly about their feelings and situations to the adults around them d. Adults should look around them and listen

Moral Values

Do not look down on others Do not give up easily when we are faced with problems We must try to accept things the way they are and make the best out of it.

Point of View Point of view is the perspective from which a story is told. The author creates a narrator to tell the story. It is through the narrators perspective that readers learn what is happening in a story. The introduction of the story is written in the third persons point of view. It is told through the eyes of the author, Anne Fine. All the other parts are told in the first persons view. In this novel, the author recognizes and validates the anger many children feel when the adults who should be caring for them cause their lives to spin out of control, and then expect them to just adjust and be happy. Its not all happy endings here, but it does have the taste of reality.