Teachers’ Guide to Apple and Rain by Sarah Crossan
In Brief
A moving and beautifully crafted novel which explores
the bond between daughters and mothers, forgiveness
and the healing power of words, from the Carnegie
Medal shortlisted author Sarah Crossan.
In Detail
When Apple’s mother returns after eleven years of
absence, Apple feels whole again. She will have an
answer to her burning question – why did you go? And
she will have someone who understands what it means
to be a teenager – unlike Nana. But just like the stormy
Christmas Eve when she left, her mother’s homecoming
is bitter sweet, and Apple wonders who is really looking
after whom. It’s only when Apple meets someone more
lost than she is, that she begins to see things as they
really are.
About the Author
Sarah Crossan is originally from Dublin. She graduated with a
degree in philosophy and literature before training as an English
and drama teacher at Cambridge University, and has been working
to promote creative writing in schools since. She taught English at a
small private school near New York until she became a full-time
writer. She completed her Masters in creative writing at the
University of Warwick in 2003 and in 2010 received an Edward
Albee Fellowship for writing. Sarah lives in Hertfordshire with her
husband and their daughter.
For more information and news about Sarah, visit
sarahcrossan.com or follow her @SarahCrossan.
Other Books by Sarah Crossan
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The Weight of Water
Breathe
Resist
Pre-reading Activities
 As a class, look together at the jacket for Apple and Rain and ask students to guess what
the novel is about. Draw the students’ attention to the apple/broken heart and ask
them to write a three-sentence synopsis of the novel.
 What associations does the word ‘apple’ conjure up for the class? Play a game of word
association with the words ‘apple’ and ‘rain’. This could be a very light-hearted, silly way
in to the novel.
Discussion Questions
1. On the first page, Apple describes what she believes is an early memory from her
childhood. Do you believe that this memory is real or do you think that people tend to
invent pasts based on what other people tell them has happened? How can we know
the difference? What are some of your earliest memories?
2. Nana is quite strict with Apple. Is she too strict or is Apple complaining about nothing?
What sorts of things should a thirteen year old be allowed to do and what sorts of things
should a parent or carer object to?
3. At the end of Chapter 5, Apple claims she does not want to become friends with the
‘kooky neighbour’. Is Del ‘kooky’? In what ways? What are your other initial impressions
of him? Do first impressions count? Should they?
4. Nana and Apple’s mother are constantly arguing. Why? Are Nana’s feelings justified or is
she overreacting? If you had to take a side, which side would you take?
5. Apple claims that Mr Gaydon isn’t like her other teachers. How is he different/better? Is
he like your teachers? Would you like to be taught by him? Why or why not?
6. In Chapter 16, Apple leaves Nana’s house to go and live with her mother. Has she made
the right choice? How do you think Nana feels about this?
7. How would you describe Rain’s personality? Is she strong or vulnerable? How can you
tell? Do you think she truly believes that Jenny is a real baby?
8. When Apple does her English homework she often writes two different versions. Why
does she do this? Is she being unnecessarily paranoid or is she right to be nervous about
sharing her inner life with a teacher? Which piece of homework is generally better – the
true piece or the version for school?
9. Why does Pilar turn her back on Apple and become friends with Donna? How would you
deal with a situation like this if you were Apple? What should Apple do? Is Apple being
bullied?
10. Apple’s mother often leaves Apple to care for Rain during the day instead of sending her
to school. She also lets Apple drink alcohol. Does this make her a bad mother? Can good
people make bad decisions?
11. Apple believes she is in love with Egan Winters and in Chapter 29 he kisses her. How
does she feel about this kiss? Do you believe Egan is attracted to Apple? Why did he kiss
her?
12. Apple slowly changes her mind about Del. Why? What does he do to make her like him?
Should she trust him? Why or why not?
13. In Chapter 40, Apple kicks Jenny and upsets Rain. Why does she do this? Is Rain right to
call her a ‘monster’?
14. When Rain goes missing, the last person Apple wants to tell is Nana. Why? What is she
afraid of? What would you have done in this situation?
15. By the end of the novel, Apple is back with Nana. Why does she decide to leave her
mother? What do you think will happen now? Will Rain and her mother return to
America? Should they?
16. Apple’s father is absent for a lot of the novel. What is your opinion of him? Is he a worse
or better parent than Apple’s mother?
17. There are lots of poems in Apple and Rain. Did it slow down the reading process? Was it
annoying or did you like reading the poems? Do you think that Mr Gaydon’s poetry unit
had any impact on Apple’s life? How?
Beyond the Book
Cross-Curricular Activities
English
 Pick one or two of the poems from the novel and study them with the students. Have
the class complete Mr Gaydon’s homework activity.
 Begin a Great War poetry unit. Start by reading some Wilfred Owen poems. Follow this
up by studying Michael Morpurgo’s inspiring and moving novel Private Peaceful.
 Give students copies of children’s poetry anthologies and ask them to find a poem they
like. Take turns reading these poems aloud and discussing what is
interesting/funny/moving about them. This is a good opportunity for students to take
control of the learning and get excited about poetry.
Art
 Jabberwocky is a very famous poem by Lewis Carroll. Read it along with the students
then have them create illustrations to go with the poem.
 Apple’s mother has a tattoo of an apple on her hip. Ask the students to design their own
personal tattoos. What symbols are important to them? Why?
Citizenship and PSHE
 Set up a class debate or begin a discussion on the following topic: should parents be
punished for not sending their children to school?
 Mr Gaydon seems to be anti-war. Ask students what they believe justifies a war.
Research current conflicts and decide whether or not these wars can be justified.
Food Technology
 Ask students to find some exciting apple recipes. Together make apple pies, apple
sauces or simple fruit salads.
Further Reading
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The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan
The Illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson
Dizzy by Cathy Cassidy
Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo