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Whispers in the Graveyard
-1–
Chapter one
Chapter summary – Sol goes to the graveyard where he looks at the pictures on the gravestones.
We learn that he lives with his father; his mother and father are separated. His father is an alcoholic, and
Sol contemplates whether or not his decision to live with his father is the right one.
Explain to the children that Sol likes to look at pictures and watch television because he cannot read, a
problem that will dominate Sol’s life, both inside and outside of school.
Work - paragraphs
WORKSHEET 1
PARAGRAPHS
Read the following story through. Unfortunately the typist forgot to use paragraphs, and needs your
help. Copy out the following story, taking care to begin new paragraphs in the correct places.
// indicates a paragraph break
Sol ran as fast as his legs would carry him. The graveyard was his safe haven, a place that no one knew
about, not even his best friend Peter. // As Sol reached the far wall of the graveyard, he wedged his shoe
in between the loose stonework and hauled himself over. The ground was wet and uneven; the rain had
washed away the topsoil, exposing the rocky surface. Sheltering under the leafy tree prevented Sol from
the torrential downpour that had begun so suddenly. // After the rain had eased, Sol convinced himself
that he should visit the far corner that he called his own. Taking care that his shadow was not visible in the
dim street lights shining from the roadside, Sol crept over, making sure that he stayed as close to the wall
as he could. // ‘Dare you to run through the graveyard,’ the young voice challenged. // ‘Not tonight, it’s
too wet. But don’t think I’m a chicken. I’ll show you, the first dry night and I’ll do it, I promise.’ // ‘You keep
on saying that, you’ve been promising for at least a month but you always find some excuse or another,’
the voice mocked. // ‘Well, it wasn’t just me who was scared, you were the first to run when we heard the
scratching. You who wouldn’t go and find out what it was.’ Sol recognised the hoarse voice as that of
William Evans who had lived next door but one until recently. // Frozen to the spot, Sol flinched as the
cold rainwater trickled down his neck. The air had that distinct autumn smell of rotten wet leaves. Sol knew
that he must eat his sandwiches as quickly as he could, and head back home before his father had woken.
Untying the soggy plastic bag was difficult; his fingers were cold and numb. // The boys had passed, and
Sol knew he should make his way back towards the wall in the far corner of the graveyard. Clambering over
the wall, he felt the left leg of his trousers catch on the upturned shopping trolley. The ripping sound
seemed so loud in the still night air of the graveyard, that Sol was convinced that somebody must have
heard him. // The house was in darkness, and the door was bolted firmly shut. Sol peered through the
window and saw his father sprawled on the floor, surrounded by empty bottles.
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Whispers in the Graveyard
-2–
Chapter two
Chapter summary – After attempting the homework for Mr. Watkins, Sol copies from his friend
Peter. In school Sol is ridiculed by Mr. Watkins, and is labelled stupid. He walks out of school, telling us just
how much he ‘hates the place.’ (p. 8). Sol reveals that although his father is inadequate in most things - and
we as readers realise that he neglects Sol – Sol enjoys the stories that his father tells him about his
adventurous past. Again Sol tells us how he loved to listen to ‘the sounds of the words.’ (p.8).
Remind the children that although Sol cannot read himself, he enjoys having stories told to him.
Class discussion
Ask the children if they know why Sol can’t read or write. It is likely that you may have a dyslexic child in the
class who will be able to share their own experiences. Having a dyslexic child in my class was helpful, as
they were willing to explain to the other children what it means to be dyslexic.
Discuss why Sol doesn’t know that he is dyslexic – the trend until recently to label such children as ‘slow
learners’ and ‘stupid.’ Perhaps the dyslexic child in the class can explain how and when they realised that
they had a problem, and the help that they have received.
Discuss the wider issues involved with dyslexia – co – ordination, ability to follow instructions, the belief that
many dyslexics excel at art, etc.
Emphasize that dyslexia is not a barrier to success – many dyslexics are successful people. See how many
names children can come up with – Anthea Turner, Tom Cruise, Richard Branson, Dennis Bergkamp etc.
Work – adjectives and comparatives
WORKSHEET
ADJECTIVES
Write out the following description, and underline the adjectives.
Sol watched as the scruffy old man trudged along, his tattered coat making patterns in the freshly laid
snow. The features on his face were rugged and worn looking, and the cap that covered his head, a stained
greyish – brown colour. His left arm was shorter than his right, but this had never stopped him from blowing
long, grey wisps of smoke from his long pipe. Sol inhaled the distinct smell that his pipe produced, and
wondered why he smoked an old pipe and not a cigarette.
Peter’s mum had told everyone that a heavy, sharp container had fallen on him at the gas works, where he
was once employed. Perhaps that was just idle gossip though, as Mr. Tate had never mentioned that he’d
had a nasty accident of any sort.
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Whispers in the Graveyard
-3–
2
Despite his ailing health and lonely lifestyle, Mr. Tate’s garden was always full of brightly coloured blooms,
and the grass cut short with the hedgerow neatly trimmed. The clusters of yellow daffodils along the edge
of the path could still be seen swaying gently on the dark winter’s nights that had now set in. It made Sol
sad to think that he had never even had clean clothes, never mind a neat garden and a tidy house.
Cooking was Mr. Tate’s hobby. The smell of freshly baked buns often wafted from the sparse kitchen at the
rear of the house. The sweet smell and the thought of all those warm, sticky buns made Sol so hungry, that
he was rushing to get home.
Sol imagined what he would be eating, if his dad had bothered to make him some tea.‘ Burnt pizza and
soggy chips with cold beans isn’t my idea of a tasty dinner, but I suppose it’ll have to do for now,’ Sol
thought.
‘Who eats all those delicious buns?’ is the question Sol would like to ask Mr. Tate. Sol lingered for another
minute to breathe in the sweet smell. He turned his back, and started to walk towards his scruffy house as
fast as he could, hoping that there would be something for him to eat, even if his father hadn’t prepared a
hot meal.
Chapter three
Chapter summary – Sol arrives at the graveyard to find council workmen surveying the grounds.
Sol overhears their conversation and realizes that they are discussing the relocation of the graves. The
problem is that the graveyard was a burial site for small – pox victims, and the council workmen fear that it
is still contagious, that if the bodies are disturbed a new epidemic may begin.
Work - Class discussion
Discuss Sol’s reaction to the workmen’s arrival. He hurries to the graveyard to escape the truant patrol. In
the past, the graveyard has been the one place that Sol felt safe from the pressures and troubles of the
world, but as soon as he climbs over the graveyard wall, he tells us ‘something is wrong […] someone has
been here.’ (p.8) Throughout the chapter Sol reveals to the reader how he feels. Ask the children to pick
out phrases or sentences that reflect Sol’s feelings. Some useful phrases are listed below;
‘I don’t like this.’ (p.10).
‘I wander about, restless and agitated.’ (p.11).
‘There is a great disquiet around me.’ (p.11).
‘I cower down lower in my hiding place.’ (p.11).
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Whispers in the Graveyard
-4–
Chapter four
Chapter summary – sol is sad that the workmen are destroying his only place of refuge. In a
symbolic gesture, he clings to the Rowan tree, trees that have been planted to ward off evil spirits.
Work – vocabulary building
The words below either describe how Sol feels, or they are words that feature in the chapter. Use a
dictionary to find a definition, and write one sentence using the word to show that you understand what it
means.
1) Agitated
2) Anxious
3) Uneasy
4) Betrayed
5) Annual
6) Vulnerable
7) Exhumation
8) Regulations
9) Resurrection
10) Revulsion
13) Bureaucracy
14) Vagrants
Extension work for more able children
11) Commission
12) Denotes
15) Flourishes
16) Clamber
Less able children
If you have children within the group who are Dyslexic, or who have spelling problems, allow them to work
with a more able partner. The more able child should find the dictionary definition, whilst their partner thinks
of an appropriate sentence. Alternatively, give the child the definition, and ask them to write a sentence,
using that word.
Chapter five
Chapter summary – Sol’s father is aggressive and accuses him of hiding his beer. In a desperate
attempt to escape the beating from his father, Sol runs away. Sol goes to Peter’s house, but mentions
nothing of the events at home. On being invited to stay for tea, Sol makes the excuse that his father will
have made him a meal.
Sol’s smiles hide the torment that he suffers at the hands of an abusive father, and the juxtaposition with
Peter’s happy family environment makes this incident all the more poignant.
Sol returns to the graveyard and spends the evening there away from his drunken father.
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Whispers in the Graveyard
-5–
WORKSHEET 3
CREATIVE WRITING
Work – creative writing
Chapter six
Chapter summary – Sol can hear other children in the graveyard, they are using it as a place to
hang out.
Sol recalls how his mother ridicules him for not being able to read, write, hold a knife or fork and being
unable to tell the time. She is worn out with taking Sol from one consultant to another; her cruel comments
reveal the frustration that she too suffers at not knowing what is causing Sol’s problems. Her quip to Sol
that he is a ’Pain in the bloody arse,’ (p.28) typifies the abuse that Sol suffers both at school and home as a
result of his dyslexia.
Chapter seven
Chapter summary - Sol returns home to find that his father has collapsed because he is drunk.
Manoeuvring around the mess and forgetting the immediate problems, Sol turns to concentrate on the
notice that he has taken from the graveyard. Once again he is unable to read it.
Sol tells us how he copes at school, ‘you watch, copy, listen and repeat what someone else says.’(p32).
Sol’s problems extend far beyond the classroom though; he is neglected at home too. We learn that ‘to
fend off the BO [Sol] turns his tee shirt inside out.’ (p.34). He arrives at school with a dirty tee shirt odd
socks which are dirty and no PE. kit.
Chapter eight
Chapter summary – Sol arrives at school without his PE kit, and is immediately targeted by Mr.
Watkins who laughs at him because he smells and because he cannot co – ordinate his movements.
Whilst playing football, the ball hits Sol hard in the face and he begins to cry. Mr. Watkins uses the
opportunity to further humiliate Sol by calling him ‘ a namby – pamby,’ and telling him to grow up. In a final
attempt to crush Sol, Mr. Watkins sends him out of the gym, and to spend the rest of the day with the
primary one class.
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Whispers in the Graveyard
-6–
Work – Direct Speech
WORKSHEET 4
DIRECT SPEECH
Chapter nine
Chapter summary - Miss Talmur realizes that Sol has been memorizing his one line, so that he can
read aloud in class.
Sol, realizing that he has copied the letters down the wrong way round, throws a tantrum. Sol’s frustration is
clear as he bites and rips the sleeve of his jumper. He empties the contents of Miss Talmur’s handbag on to
her desk, and throws the bag at the blackboard. Feeling that he has released all the pent up anger, Sol
runs out of the classroom screaming.
Work - Comprehension questions
WORKSHEET 5
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
Work – Descriptive writing
In the story, Whispers in the Graveyard , the author creates a vivid picture of Sol’s infant classroom. The
writer achieves this by paying particular attention to the choice of words and vocabulary.
Write, in an interesting manner, a detailed description of one of your infant classrooms.
Chapter ten
Chapter summary- Sol visits the graveyard and hears two men, Joe and Jerry planning to loot a
chest that they have dug up. There are strange noises, and Joe disappears.
Sol shouts at Jerry not to touch the chest. Jerry flees, and Sol is left alone with the chest in the graveyard.
He reaches his hand out towards the mysterious chest.
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Whispers in the Graveyard
-7–
Chapter eleven
Chapter summary – Sol tries to read the inscription on the chest, but can’t. He takes home a ring
that he has found in the cemetery. Sol returns home to find the house is a mess; ‘the contents of thee
cupboards remain strewn over the worktops.’ He doesn’t want to go to school, but knows that if he doesn’t,
someone will come round to find out why he isn’t at school.
Sol’s father makes a gesture of apology for hitting him, but Sol doesn’t want to know. Knocking the tray
from his father’s hand, Sol goes into his bedroom and shuts the door behind him.
A school representative calls at the house to find out why Sol is not at school.
Work – treasured possessions
WORKSHEET 6
TREASURED POSSESSIONS
Chapter twelve
Chapter summary – Miss Talmur asks for Sol’s help in showing parents around the school. At first,
he is reluctant, but Sol does the job and enjoys it.
For the first time in the novel, Sol feels that there may be a more pleasant side to life than he has
experienced. He starts to believe that ‘something pleasant [might happen] for a space around me,
everything is going to be all right.’ (p.58). Sol realizes that Miss Talmur cares about him; this is reflected in
his positive attitude.
Work – Diary writing
A diary is used to write down important things that have happened to you and how you felt about them at
that time. Many people keep a diary and write in it regularly. Most diaries are personal; the only person who
reads it is the person who has written it.
During World War II, a young Jewish girl called Anne Frank wrote a diary depicting her life in hiding from
the Nazi’s.
More recently, Zlata Filipovic, a young Bosnian girl, told of her experiences living in Sarajevo during the
Bosnian conflict. The diary became a friend for Zlata, and she gave it a name.
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Whispers in the Graveyard
-8–
Class discussion
Read an extract from either Anne Frank’s diary or Zlata Filipovic’s diary.
Discuss first person narrative - feeling of intimacy. Perhaps compare it with third person narrative.
Talk about what you might wish to include in a diary, and the style in which it is written.
Imagine that you are Sol. Choose five of the following incidents and write Sol’s diary entry for that day.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
Sol sent out by Mr. Watkins (p.9).
Sol listening to the plans of the council officials (p.11-15).
The confrontation with Sol’s father (p.21).
The invitation to tea from Peter’s mother (p.24).
The accident in PE (p.37).
Sol’s outburst in primary one (p.45).
Sol’s father’s apology, and Sol’s reaction to it (p.53).
The meeting that Sol helps Miss Talmur with, and Sol’s thoughts (p.56 –58).
Chapter thirteen
Chapter summary – Miss Talmur asks parents to understand how children may feel starting a new
school. She values Sol’s opinion, asking him if he thought the presentation went well.
Chapter fourteen
Chapter summary – One of the pupils, Amy, has disappeared, and Miss Talmur enlists Sol’s help
to find her. Sol does find her in the graveyard, where she is looking for her father who has disappeared
there.
Remembering how the graveyard gate was locked the previous evening, and is now open, Sol realizes that
something is amiss. He confides in Miss Talmur that ‘there is something wrong in that place.’ (p.72).
Note Sol’s growing confidence as he shares his fears with Miss Talmur.
Work – the comma
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Whispers in the Graveyard
WORKSHEET
THE COMMA
7
-9–
Chapter fifteen
Chapter summary – Miss Talmur gives Sol a lift home from school. She tells Sol’s father that he
has severe learning difficulties, and will only learn to read and write with specialist help.
Sol learns that his father can’t read or write either. Sol is angry because he feels that he has been deceived
and let down by his father. His father’s failure to admit, and his knowledge and understanding of what the
problem is, have all contributed to making Sol’s problem worse than it could have been.
Chapter sixteen
Chapter summary – Feeling angry and betrayed, Sol tears down all the cartoons that his father has
drawn. He feels as if he’s in a pit that he can’t get out of.
Miss Talmur agrees to act as a tutor for Sol, and Amy helps him out.
Professor Miller, the graveyard official in charge of the exhumations, invites Sol and Miss Talmur to the
archives in Glasgow to find out about the burial ground and the history of the area.
Sol is co –operative, helping Miss Talmur clear up the classroom. He is a more mature and confident child
than he was a few chapters back, when he resisted Miss Talmur’s efforts to help him. (p.55).
Sol recalls the lengths that his father went to, in order to hide his own inability to read or write.
Work – Informative leaflets
WORKSHEET 8
INFORMATIVE LEAFLETS
Design a pamphlet to inform and educate people about dyslexia. Make your leaflet attractive, so that
people will want to read it. Discuss appropriate captions or slogans to draw people’s attention to the leaflet.
Talk to the children about how to set out their pamphlet. Collect a few examples from Boots.
Talk about what you would include in this leaflet, perhaps use Sol’s problems as a source of information.
List the problems that dyslexics have and the help that is available. Discuss the facts of dyslexia, and
people’s differing attitudes towards sufferers. Mr. Watkins and Miss Talmur’s treatment of Sol would
provide good examples.
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Whispers in the Graveyard
- 10 –
Chapter seventeen
Chapter summary – Sol thinks back to how his mother tried to help him with homework, whilst his
father told him stories instead. The constant humiliation has left its mark deep on Sol; he has no self –
confidence. ‘Useless. Like me,’ he says ’No point in trying.’ Sol decides that with the help and guidance
from Miss Talmur, he will face the difficult challenge of trying to improve his reading and writing.
Chapter eighteen
Chapter summary - Sol is informed that some of the bodies in the graveyard belong to people who
were killed because they were accused of being witches. Sol objects to Miss Talmur taking the letters about
the trials. He senses an evil force that he cannot explain.
Sol feels an urge to ‘crush’ the people that have ‘tried to grind me [him] down.’ (p91)
Work – using language to convey feeling
In this chapter, the author uses strong language to convey Sol’s feelings. We learn from Sol how;
My breath hisses through my teeth. Through narrowed eyes I watch them. They have tried to grind
me down, now I will crush them. […] One hard push and it would shatter. Splintering crystal pieces
out and down like a cascading waterfall. Great shards of glass slicing through flesh…. (p.91).
Using powerful language, describe a situation in which you have felt strong emotions. You may
have felt fear, terror, hate, apprehension, elation etc…
Chapter nineteen
Chapter summary – We learn that both Jerry and Joe are missing. A body is unearthed by the
digger. Sol dreams that someone is calling his name, urging him to go to the graveyard. He realises that
the ring that he found in the graveyard belongs to Joe.
Work – design a missing person’s poster
Use the information in chapter nineteen, and any other relevant information, to design a missing person’s
poster appealing for information on the disappearance of Joe and Jerry.
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Whispers in the Graveyard
- 11 –
Chapter twenty
Chapter summary – Sol is asked to take Amy’s school bag home, after she is sent home ill. Sol’s
admission that he feels alone without Amy, indicates that he has developed social skills over the last few
chapters. Sol reveals his frustration at not being able to express his thoughts in writing.
Amy tells Sol of a dream in which a lady asks Amy to come to her. In an attempt to allay Amy’s fear, Sol
says that he’ll tell her a story.
Work – story telling
WORKSHEET 9
STORY TELLING
Chapter twenty - one
Chapter summary – Sol is annoyed with his father because he won’t stop drinking. He gives his
father an ultimatum – ‘It’s that stuff or me.’ (p.106). Sol’s father opens another bottle, and Sol decides that
is the last straw. He goes upstairs to pack a rucksack. Feeling so let down, Sol decides to give up.
Sol walks to Amy’s house, where he sees a police car waiting outside. Amy is missing.
Chapter twenty – two
Chapter summary – Professor Miller, Miss Talmur and Sol go to the police station. The police are
optimistic that Amy will turn up safe, but Sol feels threatened by ‘unspeakable danger.’ (p.111).
Miss Talmur recites a story from a trial about a witch that was burned to death. The witch promised that her
revenge would be to have the miller’s daughter, as she had been charged with putting a curse on the
miller’s family. Amy’s surname is Miller and her father is involved in the exhumation of the site where the
witch once lived, and is now buried.
Sol hears something move in the darkness of the graveyard.
Work – The question mark
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Whispers in the Graveyard
WORKSHEET 10
THE QUESTION MARK
- 12 –
Chapter twenty - three
Chapter summary - Sol finds Amy in the graveyard. He begins to sink in mud that gives way. Sol
hears Amy singing, and watches her playing with glass beads. Amy tells Sol that she can hear someone
singing, and see a figure behind him but he cannot hear it, nor can he see the figure. Amy is reluctant to
return home, she seems to be in a type of trance.
Chapter twenty – four
Chapter summary – Sol tries to lift Amy, and carry her away, but she refuses to go.
A grave opens and a figure crawls out. It reveals that it took Joe, and vows to have Sol too. The figure
says that it is determined to have Amy, because her father has altered the flow of the river. This, the figure
claims, was an evil thing to do, and Professor Miller must pay for it.
Work – verbs and adverbs
WORKSHEET 11
VERBS AND ADVERBS
Chapter twenty – five
Chapter summary – Miss Talmur goes to the graveyard where she finds Sol and Amy. Sol is trying
to rescue Amy, but he feels completely useless. He is transferred back to the feelings of worthlessness that
he suffered in school.
Sol manages to entice Amy from the graveyard with the promise that he will finish the story that he had
begun to tell her.
Chapter twenty – six
Chapter summary – The story that Sol tells Amy is one that his father has told him. As Sol tells
Amy the story, the ground opens, and a green liquid oozes from it. Sol feels that he is powerless to do any
more to help. At this point, he hears someone calling his name. It is Sol’s father.
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Whispers in the Graveyard
- 13 –
Chapter twenty – seven
Chapter summary – Sol’s father carries Miss Talmur over his shoulder to safety. Sol picks Amy up,
and follows his father through the graveyard where the earth is now unstable.
Sol feels that he is being dragged downwards, as he sinks in to the mud. Behind him, Sol hears the river’s
banks burst.
Chapter twenty – eight
Chapter summary – Sol realises that without help, he is sure to drown. His father returns to drag
him clear of the raging torrents.
When Sol returns home, he finds his father’s whisky bottle unopened on the table. Realising how close he
was to losing his son, Sol’s father vows to try to beat his addiction to alcohol. The chapter closes with Sol
dropping the whisky bottle down the drain.
His father’s question ‘Fancy a cup of tea?’ in indicative of the family relationship that could exist, if only his
father could give up drinking. Perhaps this is the beginning of the return to normality that Sol has craved for
so long.
Work – Sol’s changing relationship with his father
WORKSHEET 12
SOL’S CHANGING RELATIONSHIP
WITH HIS FATHER
Work – Descriptive writing
Recount a time when you have made a promise to someone. Describe;
1)
2)
3)
4)
What the promise was
The reason why you made that particular promise
Whether you kept your word, and how you did it
The outcome of the situation.
Remember to make your writing as detailed and as interesting as possible.
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Whispers in the Graveyard
- 14 –
Chapter twenty – nine
Chapter summary – Miss Talmur tells Sol that she is leaving. She instructs him to rely more on his
own judgement, and tells him that although he has a disability, he can cope with it. She reminds him how,
through his strength, he has conquered evil forces, and with the same strength and determination, he too can
make progress.
Miss Talmur tells Sol that he has inner personal strength, a quality that has helped him struggle through
adversity, and she instructs him ‘Please, Soloman. Don’t ever be the same as anyone else.’
Work - Personal traits
Miss Talmur saw in Sol a resilience that she admired. Choose three qualities that you like about yourself and
three qualities that you admire in a friend. Describe what these qualities are, and explain why you value them
so much.
Chapter thirty
Chapter summary – Sol waits for his father outside the Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. We never
find out if his father has turned up.
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Whispers in the Graveyard
- 15 –