Raven Summer - Junior Library Guild

Raven Summer
by
David Almond
Teacher’s Edition
Raven Summer
By David Almond
Delacorte Press, an imprint of
Random House Children’s Publishing
Copyright © 2008 by David Almond
ISBN: 978-0-385-73806-4
JLG Activity Guide
Available only from
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Plain City, OH 43064
www.juniorlibraryguild.com
ISBN: 978-1-93612-914-0
Copyright © 2010 Junior Library Guild/Media Source, Inc.
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Raven Summer
by David Almond
JLG Guide written by Sarah Ward Terrell and
produced by School Street Media for Junior Library Guild
Table of Contents
About the Book and the Author .......................................................................................................4
Prereading Activities............................................................................................................................5
Chapter by Chapter
Book 1, Chapters 1–7 (pages 3–33) ...........................................................................................6
Book 1, Chapters 8–14 (pages 34–63) ....................................................................................11
Book 2, Chapters 1–6 (pages 67–91) ......................................................................................15
Book 2, Chapters 7–16 (pages 92–115) ..................................................................................19
Book 3, Chapters 1–8 (pages 119–142) ..................................................................................23
Book 3, Chapters 9–16 (pages 143–171) ................................................................................27
Book 3, Chapter 17; Book 4 Chapters 1–2 (pages 172–198) ..............................................30
Wrap Up ..............................................................................................................................................33
Library Applications ..........................................................................................................................35
Suggestions for Further Reading.....................................................................................................36
Correlations to National Standards ................................................................................................37
A school may reproduce copies of the pages in this book for use in its classrooms or
library. Any other reproduction is strictly prohibited.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be transmitted, stored, or recorded in any form without written
permission from the publisher. For permissions questions, contact Junior Library Guild.
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About the Book and the Author
Raven Summer
by David Almond
Summary:
Playing outside, Liam and Max notice a raven. It “flies ahead, stops, flies ahead, stops”—as if it’s
been tamed. Curious, the boys follow it past the pub, across the bridge, down toward the river,
and into an ancient farmhouse. There, they find a baby and a note that reads, “PLESE LOOK
AFTER HER RITE. THIS IS A CHILDE OF GOD.”
Fourteen-year-old Liam seems fated to meet two foster children who have experienced violence
in very different ways as he struggles to understand war, family problems, and friends who grow
apart.
JLG Reviewers Say:
A masterful exploration of human fragility and brutality. At the novel’s heart is the

question: does everyone, given the right conditions, have the capacity to commit
murder?
David Almond has created distinct and memorable characters.

The lyrical first-person prose catches the rhythm of daily life in rural northern

England.
The novel buzzes with the possibility of magic and the unexplainable.

David Almond says he lives with his family “right inside the landscape of the book: in the north
of England, beside the Roman Wall, in the beautiful and rather wild county of Northumberland.
The garden at the beginning and end of the book is just like our own garden. The walk that the
boys take following the raven is a walk through our village. Despite its beauty and its apparent
peacefulness, the area has a troubled history. It was a place of savage border wars in the past, and
there are remote areas where modern-day soldiers practice for distant conflicts.
“The story is fiction, but it deals with some very realistic subjects: the dramas of growing up, the
nature of goodness, our potential for love and friendship, our potential for violence, the place of
children in war. The characters, despite their history of desperate problems, seem to me to be
people of virtue and courage.”
www.davidalmond.com
Copyright © 2010 Junior Library Guild/Media Source, Inc.
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Prereading Activities
Making Predictions
Reread the summary for Raven Summer on page 4. Then answer the
questions below to make predictions based on evidence from the text
and/or from your prior knowledge or personal experience.
1. In literature, the raven is often a symbol for coming misfortune.
Whose misfortune do you think the raven predicts?
Answers will vary.
I predict:
Possible prediction: Students
may be divided about who will
be misfortunate.
Based on what evidence?
Whether the baby or the boys
will be misfortunate depends
on who the boys are.
2. What do you think Liam and Max will do with the baby? Answers will vary.
I predict:
Possible prediction: The boys
will try to help the baby in
some way.
Based on what evidence?
For most people, it would be
unthinkable to see a baby
abandoned in the wilderness
and not do something to help
it, because babies have no
chance of surviving on their
own.
3. Set a purpose for reading based on your predictions above.
Possible purpose: I want to find out how the baby came to be abandoned and how Liam, Max,
and the baby will change each other’s lives.
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Book 1, Chapters 1–7:
Baby Lost
pages 3–33
Before You Read
Northumberland
Introducing Vocabulary: Dialect
Raven Summer takes place in Northumberland, a district in England that
borders Scotland. Because of this, the author writes Liam’s narrative in
an English dialect, or a version of English spoken in a particular
region or by a specific group of people. Does the author’s use of
dialect make Liam’s story more or less believable? Explain your answer.
England
Possible response: The author’s use of dialect makes Liam’s story more believable, because it
makes Liam and others in his story sound the way someone from Northumberland really would
and it make you feel as if you are listening to something that is really happening.
Below are some examples of words Liam uses in ways that are specific to his dialect. Match them
by writing the letter of the correct definition on the line in front of each word. If you need help,
find the word on the page number indicated and use context clues to determine its meaning.
__d_ 1. reivers (page 3)
a. friends
__k_ 2. daft (page 4)
b. bills, money
__g_ 3. plaster (page 5)
c. maybe
__j_ 4. aye (page 5)
d. raiders
__i_ 5. squirt (page 5)
e. cup of tea
__l_ 6. nowt (page 8)
f. television
__a_ 7. mates (page 9)
g. bandage
__c_ 8. mebbe (page 10)
h. diaper
__b_ 9. notes (page 15)
i. young child
__h_ 10. nappy (page 19)
j. always, or yes
__e_ 11. cuppa (page 20)
k. foolish
__f_ 12. telly (page 27)
l. nothing
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After You Read
Checking Predictions
Before reading, you made a prediction about what Liam and Max would do with the baby they
found. What have you read that supports or refutes your prediction?
Answers will vary. The reading supports predictions that Liam and Max would do something to
help the baby. They immediately took her to Liam’s home and found help with getting her to
people who could care for her.
Analyzing the Writing: Setting
Setting is the time and place of a story. Answer the following questions by thinking about how
Northumberland, the setting of Raven Summer, helps David Almond express themes about war
and violence.
1. What about the setting is evidence that war and violence played a major role in defining
Northumberland’s past?
Possible answer: The ruins of Hadrian’s Wall, from the ancient Roman Empire, and of castles
and fortified farmhouses, from the wars between England and Scotland, are evidence.
2. Though present-day Northumberland is considered a peaceful and beautiful place, what about
the setting shows that war is still a part of life there?
Possible answer: Military jets that fly over Northumberland, and a military road that leads to a
nearby training camp show that war is still a part of life there.
3. At the beginning of the story, Liam is in his family’s garden with his friend, Max. Is a garden
more likely to be the setting for war or peace? Explain your answer.
Possible answer: A garden is more likely to be the setting for peace, because it is a place of
beauty and growth.
History Connection
Hadrian
Hadrian’s Wall
On page 5, Liam describes military jets flying over Hadrian’s Wall,
which was built more than 1800 years ago by the Romans. Find
out more about why the wall was built, what it looks like, how far
it extends, and what role it played in times of war and peace.
Create a poster about your findings to share with your classmates.
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4. Think about what Liam finds in the garden and the history he imagines for it. What idea about
war and violence might his discovery symbolize, or help express?
Possible answer: Liam finds a pruning knife buried in the garden and imagines it as a relic of
Northumberland’s warring cultures. The fact that Liam makes a weapon of something he
found in a peaceful place may indicate humans’ natural inclination toward violence.
Getting to Know the Characters: Relationships and Effect on Plot
Complete the chart below by telling how each of the characters is similar to and different from
Liam.
Character
Max
Similar to Liam
Possible response: Max is the same age
as Liam, and he shares a childhood
with Liam, playing games about war
and survival.
Gordon
Possible response: Gordon is also the
same age as Liam, and he used to be
one of Liam’s best friends. Like Liam,
Gordon enjoys playing war games.
Mum
Dad
Different from Liam
Possible response: Unlike Liam, Max is
outgrowing his childhood war games
and recklessness. He is practical and
realistic, preferring to see life as it is
rather than be fanciful about it.
Possible response: Unlike Liam,
Gordon seems ready to commit actual
acts of violence. He takes his war
games to greater extremes than Liam
does (as exemplified by the bloody bag
he walks with after an afternoon of
playing with friends).
Possible response: Like Liam, Mum can Possible response: Unlike Liam, Mum
be reckless (as shown by her drinking is ambitious. She is focused on
and driving), and she has a fascination promotion of her artwork, sometimes
with violence (as shown in her
to the exclusion of everything else.
artwork). She also is immersed in her
work, in much the same way that Liam
is immersed in his fantasy life.
Possible response: Like Liam, Dad is Possible response: Unlike Liam, Dad is
fanciful, and he craves adventure. He, cynical and reclusive. While Liam goes
too, is immersed in his work, in much out to find adventure, Dad lives all his
the same way that Liam is immersed in adventures in his head.
his fantasy life.
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Based on what you have read so far, which character in the chart above seems more likely to
influence who Liam becomes in the rest of the story? Explain your answer.
Answers will vary. Liam and Max seem to be growing apart, and Liam’s parents are all but
absent from his life. Therefore, Gordon may be the most likely to influence Liam’s character.
Though Liam claims to heartily dislike Gordon, he acknowledges some kinship between them
(they became blood brothers as young kids), and they share an interest in dangerous games.
What is more, Gordon takes an interest in Liam.
Responding to the Story
1. At the beginning of the story, Liam injures himself while using Death Dealer to dig for
treasure. What might this foreshadow, or predict, about Liam’s character?
Answers will vary. Possible answer: Liam lives in a fantasy world that is dangerous to him.
2. On their way to finding the baby, Liam and Max encounter an adder, which is a kind of snake.
What do snakes often symbolize, or represent, in stories, and what do Max and Liam’s
reactions to the snake reveal about their characters?
Possible answer: Snakes often symbolize temptation and danger in stories. Max reacts to the
snake by scaring it away; he deflects danger and temptation. However, Liam is struck by the
snake’s beauty, which reveals his fascination with dangerous things and an inability to resist
temptation.
3. When Liam and Max find the baby, they see she has a note that instructs whoever finds her to
“PLESE LOOK AFTER HER RITE.” How could this note be interpreted in different ways?
Possible answer: The interpretation hinges on the word rite, which may or may not be
misspelled. If spelled incorrectly, the note could simply be a request that the baby be well
cared for. However, if spelled correctly, the note could be a request to see the baby through a
rite of passage, or a time in life that will determine the kind of person she becomes.
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4. How does the news story about Liam, Max, and the baby differ from other stories in the news?
Answers will vary. The story of Liam, Max, and the baby seems magical, hopeful, and singular
among the other news stories about troubled celebrities, death, and destruction.
5. At the end of Chapter 7, Liam finishes telling about Thomas Fell by saying, “The story’s told,
then fades away, like all the stories in the news.” Why do news stories seem to fade over time?
Possible answer: News stories are about whatever is happening in the moment; therefore, old
stories are quickly replaced by new ones. Also, the sameness or timelessness of stories about
death, scandal, and destruction may also cause one story to seem to fade into the next.
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Book 1, Chapters 8–14:
Baby Found
pages 34–63
Before You Read
Making Predictions
Liam has helped ensure that the baby is placed with a family who cares for it. Do you think this is
the last Liam will see of her, or will she continue to be a part of his life somehow?
Possible response: The baby seems to have an important role in the story; therefore, some
students may predict that she and Liam will cross paths again. Others may think that even if Liam
never sees the baby again, her story and his involvement in it may take on a life of its own, in a
way that continues to affect him.
Literary Devices: Simile and Metaphor
Both simile and metaphor are types of figurative language, or language writers use to evoke
images in readers’ minds. Both similes and metaphors compare two unalike things that are alike in
a specific way. Similes always include the word like or as. Metaphors make a direct comparison
that something “is” something else.
Complete the chart below by telling whether each example of figurative language is simile or
metaphor. Then find the example on the page indicated and use context clues to tell what two
things the figurative language compares and what the figurative language means.
Figurative Language
Simile or Metaphor?
Sometimes I feel . . . like I’m spinning Simile
away into outer space. (page 36)
I want to be crazy as the moon, wild Simile
as the wind, and still as the earth.
(page 37)
[Gordon] holds up a black scarf.
Metaphor
“This’ll add a bit of spice,” he says.
He starts wrapping the scarf over his
eyes. (page 45)
“Who is she?” says Mum. “She’s a
Metaphor
shining light in a dark dark world.
That’s what she is.” (page 50)
Comparison and Meaning
Possible response: Liam compares
himself to something that spins
into outer space. Liam feels
disconnected and out of control.
Possible response: Liam compares
himself to a crazy moon, a wild
wind, and still earth. Liam wants to
feel excited, free, and centered.
Possible response: Gordon
compares the scarf to spice.
Gordon thinks wearing the scarf
will add interest to the game.
Possible response: Mum compares
the baby to a shining light. Mum
thinks the baby is something
positive in a world that is very
negative.
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After You Read
Checking Predictions
Earlier you made a prediction about whether or not the baby would continue to be a part of
Liam’s life. What evidence confirmed or refuted your prediction?
Possible answer: Liam’s Mum decided to become a foster parent to the baby. Now the baby lives
with Liam and his family.
Analyzing the Writing: Juxtaposition and Tension
Raven Summer is filled with juxtapositions, or the placements side by side of two ideas or events
that are different but equally important. Authors use juxtaposition to create tension, or draw
attention to characters or ideas that are in conflict with one another.
1. Reread the exchange between Liam and Max on pages 36–38. How do Liam and Max’s
characters contrast with each other, and what questions do these contrasts raise about what it
means to become an adult?
Possible answer: Liam is nostalgic for the sweetness of being younger and obsessed with the
violence and death he sees as part of his future, while Max is ready to let go his childhood and
embrace a conventional adult life. This contrast raises questions such as the following: Is Liam
wrong to miss his childhood, or is he actually more in touch with what it means to become an
adult than Max is? Is Max’s view of adulthood more mature than Liam’s or is it just safer? Is
either Liam or Max wrong about when and how to grow up, or can both of them be right?
2. Reread the exchanges between Mum and Dad about Alison at the top of page 50 and on pages
58–59. What is the debate between Mum and Dad, and what ideas about social responsibility
could each character represent?
Possible answer: Mum wants to make Alison a part of the family, while Dad thinks that Alison
should be left “to live her own life.” Mum represents the idea that social responsibility means
embracing others and sharing advantages, while Dad represents the opposite idea, that being
responsible is understanding one’s limitations and not imposing on others’ lives.
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3. Reread Chapter 12, pages 54–57. In this chapter, Liam meets Oliver and Crystal. How are
Oliver and Crystal the opposite of Liam, and what lesson might they help teach him?
Possible answer: Oliver and Crystal have lived the lives that Liam fantasizes about. Oliver has
survived war, and Crystal has survived a fire. Liam may learn from them that he should not
take his safe life for granted and that adventure looks more like hardship in real life.
Getting to Know the Characters: Traits
Complete the chart below by telling what each character does to show that he or she possesses
the trait indicated.
Character
Mum
Trait
Receptive
Evidence
When Dad suggests that Liam’s bruised and scraped skin
looks like her artwork, Mum latches onto the idea.
Liam
Compassionate
Like Mum, Liam wants to take care of Alison.
Dad
Encouraging
Dad recognizes the makings of a true writer in Oliver and
offers help and understanding.
Crystal
Resilient
Rather than focus on how the fire made her a victim,
Crystal takes the phoenix as a symbol of her survival.
Oliver
Conscientious
Oliver works hard on the story of his life to make sure that
it is truthful.
Max
Rigid
Gordon
Persistent
When Liam tries to tell Max his concerns about war
coming, Max mocks Liam, rather than acknowledging that
Liam’s concerns are based in the reality of having met an
actual war survivor their age.
Even after Liam attacks him, Gordon insists that he and
Liam are blood brothers and tries to engage Liam in more
fighting.
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Responding to the Story
1. What is Gordon’s attitude toward Greg Armstrong, and how does it relate to isolationism?
Possible answer: Gordon’s attitude is callous. He believes that Greg Armstrong is arrogant and
should not have gone to interfere in Iraq. Like isolationists, Gordon believes that people
should stay where they came from and take care of their own.
2. Why do you think Liam attacks Gordon during the snake pit games? Do you agree with
Gordon, that it is because Liam is like Gordon? Explain your answer.
Answers will vary. On one hand, Liam is like Gordon—he is excitable, and he gives in to his
violent urges. On the other hand, Liam is compassionate—he goes to comfort Eddie Marks
after the fight and seems to have been motivated by Gordon’s treatment of Eddie and
enjoyment of bullying to start the fight to begin with.
3. At the end of Chapter 12, Crystal, Oliver, and Alison all have their eyes on Liam. Why do you
think this is?
Answers will vary. It seems they all have their eyes on Liam, because they expect something
from him. It may also show that they see Liam for who he really is and feel a kinship with him.
(Crystal, in particular, seems to acknowledge Liam as a kindred spirit and someone she could
go to for help if she needed it.)
4. On page 63, Liam says, “We’re all like foundlings, then.” What did he mean by this?
Possible answer: He meant, as Mum responded, that we are all “little lost souls in a big
universe.” Like foundlings, we have to find our families, or the people we will go through life
depending on and caring for.
History Connection
The Dark Ages
On page 35, Gordon accuses Liam of thinking Gordon is a “throwback” to the Dark Ages.
Find out when the Dark Ages took place and what inspired the name. Then discuss with a
partner why you agree or disagree that Gordon’s views and interests are like those of people
who lived in the Dark Ages.
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Book 2, Chapters 1–6:
Complications
pages 67–91
Before You Read
Making Predictions
After Liam attacked Gordon, Gordon told Liam that something had been started between the
two of them. What do you think Gordon will do to retaliate against Liam?
Answers will vary. In the past, Gordon has used his war games to try to impress Liam and make a
friend of him. Now, perhaps he will use his war games against Liam, either to humiliate or do real
harm to him.
After You Read
Checking Predictions
Earlier you made a prediction about how Gordon would retaliate against Liam. What have you
read that supports or refutes your prediction?
Answers will vary. So far, Gordon hasn’t done anything to harm Liam. In fact, he seems more as
if he is still trying to impress Liam. He tries to convince Liam of how dark his imagination is and
uses Liam’s dad’s words as fuel for his argument.
Introducing Vocabulary: Greek and Latin Roots
A root word is a word part that has its own meaning. Each of the following vocabulary words
contains a root word from the Greek or Latin language. Use a dictionary or a book of word
origins to help you locate the root word in each vocabulary word below. Then write the root word
and its meaning in the spaces provided.
Vocabulary Word
sections
Root Word
sect
Root Word’s Meaning
cut
photographs
phot
light
unrecognizable
cogn
know
circumstances
circum
around
universal
uni
one
paramedic
para
beside or near
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Analyzing the Writing: Political and Philosophical Views
A person’s political views are his or her ideas about social relationships involving
authority or power. A person’s philosophical views are his or her beliefs about
how people should live. In Raven Summer, David Almond uses characters to stand
for differing ideas people have about why the world is troubled and what is the
best way for people to coexist with each other.
1. Who does Dad think is to blame for terrorism and war?
Possible answer: He thinks that leaders, such as Blair and Bush, are as responsible for
violence in the world as terrorists and suicide bombers are.
2. What fears about savagery do Liam and Mum share?
Possible answer: Savagery is everywhere, and those who want war in the world are just waiting
for their chance.
3. What beliefs about humanity do the vicar and Mum have in common, and what do they think
is the best way to make peace in the world?
Possible answer: They both believe that all humans are foundlings and part of one family, and
that all of us must try to overcome the savage within, or find ways to “shine in this world of
darkness.”
4. What does Max think of Oliver’s story, and what does Liam believe are Max’s reasons for
feeling this way?
Possible answer: Max thinks that Oliver’s story must be made up. Liam believes this is either
because Max doesn’t believe the story or because he doesn’t want to know that the violence
Oliver describes really exists.
5. What beliefs about angels and monsters might Crystal and Dad share?
Possible answer: We all have the potential to be an angel or monster, and the difference in
what we become depends largely on who our caretakers are and what kinds of resources and
protection they can provide.
6. Why does Gordon automatically dislike Oliver?
Possible answer: Gordon doesn’t like outsiders. Also, he believes that anyone from Liberia
who is seeking asylum must be a war criminal and, therefore, a threat to him.
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Getting to Know the Characters: Actions and Their Effect on Plot
1. Why do you think Liam writes “stupid” in blood across his chest?
Answers will vary. Possible answer: Max has just called Liam “stupid,” and Liam has taken it to
heart. He wonders if what Max said was true.
2. How do the people who see “stupid” written on Liam’s chest react to it, and how are their
reactions different from what you might expect? What effect might their reactions have on
Liam?
Possible answer: Max reacts with disgust and says he fears Liam will do something stupid; Dad
barely registers seeing anything odd about Liam’s appearance; and Mum decides it is art. None
of them reacts with concern or a question about what it means. All of these reactions have the
effect of isolating Liam.
3. Mum insists that Alison should be christened, but she’s never troubled by the fact that Liam
has not been christened. Should she be? Why or why not?
Answers will vary. The main problem is in that Mum has promised protection and guidance
for Alison that she doesn’t always give to Liam. Though Liam doesn’t seem resentful about
this, he also doesn’t feel his potential for goodness. Instead, he embraces “[staying] evil,”
without really knowing what evil is or where it leads.
Responding to the Story
1. What are the subjects of Mum’s art, and what ideas do you think she tries to communicate with
them? Do you think people understand her art in the way she intends? Explain your answer.
Answers will vary. The subjects of Mum’s art are beautiful landscapes that also show how
humans and animals are vulnerable to death and violence. Earlier in the book, Liam said that
people like Mum’s art because of its violent edge. This suggests that they think her art reveres
violence in some way, when, in fact, it seems more likely her art is a lament about the savagery
she sees in the world.
2. For many people in the story, Alison symbolizes a link. What are some different ways that
Alison links people together?
Possible answer: For some, Alison is a link to heavenly power or magic. For others she is a
link to goodness, innocence, and the positive forces that bring people together.
Copyright © 2010 Junior Library Guild/Media Source, Inc.
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3. What does Crystal believe about her fate?
Possible answer: Crystal believes that she and Oliver were fated to meet Liam and that Alison
played a part in this fate.
4. Dad seems to like playing the role of the cynic. How is Dad’s cynicism ironic, and why do you
think he chooses to view life cynically? (Does this point of view benefit him in some way?
Explain your answer.)
Possible answer: Dad’s cynicism is ironic, because his books send such a positive message
about the potential for magic in people’s lives. It is unclear why Dad has chosen cynicism,
especially since people’s memories of him suggest he was once fanciful and optimistic. The
changes in him suggest he has been disappointed by life. He may choose to see the world as
devoid of magic and goodness as a way of protecting himself against further disillusionment.
5. What happened to Oliver in Liberia, and what future does he hope to escape?
Possible answer: Oliver’s family was slaughtered in Liberia. He managed to leave his country,
but it appears he will be sent back. He and Crystal plan to run away so that he will not have to
return to Liberia.
Social Studies Connection
Liberia
Oliver is a teenager seeking asylum from Liberia, a country in
Africa. Find out more about Liberia: where it is, how the country
was formed, and why it has a history of civil unrest. Write a brief
report to share with your classmates.
Copyright © 2010 Junior Library Guild/Media Source, Inc.
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Book 2, Chapters 7–16:
The Gnat
pages 92–115
Before You Read
Making Predictions
Crystal thinks fate has brought Liam to her and Oliver, because Liam will be able to help them.
Do you think Liam can keep Oliver from being returned to Liberia? Why or why not?
Answers will vary. At this point in the story, anything seems possible. Liam is a willing adventurer,
and he’s already had out-of-the-ordinary things happen to him. However, even the most
extraordinary circumstances of the story have been governed by reality, so far, and it seems
unlikely that Liam, a thirteen-year-old, could keep Crystal and Oliver safe on his own.
Introducing Vocabulary: Idiom
An idiom is an expression, or figure of speech. It is a word or phrase that conveys meaning
beyond its literal meaning. (An example of idiom is underlined in the following sentence: I had the
time of my life on my last vacation. In this sentence, the time of my life means “a good time.”)
Complete the chart below by reading the sentence and telling what group of words forms the
idiom. Then write the meaning of the sentence. Use context clues from the page number
indicated, if you need help defining the sentence.
Sentence
It was a piece of cake to find.
(page 96)
Idiom
piece of cake
Meaning
Possible answer: It was easy to
find.
“You think I’m a pain in the
neck.” (page 97)
pain in the neck
Possible answer: You think I’m
irritating.
“Your new mate,
whatdeyecallim, he’ll know all
about that.” (page 98)
whatdeyecallim
Possible answer: Your new mate
—what is his name?—he’ll
know all about that.
“All looks peaceful and loveydovey till . . .” (page 112)
lovey-dovey
Possible answer: All looks
peaceful and full of love or
romance
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After You Read
Checking Predictions
Earlier you made a prediction about whether or not Liam would be able to help keep Oliver in
England. What has happened so far that supports or refutes your prediction? Answers will vary.
Possible answer: Crystal and Oliver have run away together, and Liam is protecting them by not
telling anyone what he knows about their situation.
Analyzing the Writing: Literary Allusions
An allusion is a reference to a person, character, or event from history or a piece of literature.
When an author makes an allusion, it is a way of helping readers to make connections. These
connections help readers understand important ideas and events in the author’s writing.
The following chart contains literary allusions. Complete the chart by telling what the subject of
the allusion is. Then tell the allusion’s purpose, or how it helps readers understand ideas or events
in the story. Use the Internet or an encyclopedia if you need help.
Allusion
Subject
“Think about when you go to the James Bond
flicks, Liam. When you’re sitting in
the dark down at the Forum
watching a movie. What happens
at the violent bits, eh? At the really
savage bits. Like the last James
Bond film . . .” (page 97)
Purpose
Answers will vary. Possible answer:
The allusion helps illustrate the
author’s theme that people are
naturally drawn to aggressive
behavior. James Bond movies are
action films noted both for being
widely popular and depicting
graphic violence.
He holds his pen over his
William Wordsworth /
notebook, turns his eyes to the
his poem, “I Wandered
sky, pretends to write as if
Lonely as a Cloud”
inspired.
“Ahem. I wandered lonely as
a… Sorry.” (page 113)
Answers will vary. Possible answer:
The allusion helps readers
understand how PC Ball envisions
writers—as being like William
Wordsworth, whose works about
beauty in nature are studied and
memorized by many people at some
point in their school careers.
Once there was a girl called Little
Red Riding Hood…
One day a pretty little girl called
Goldilocks set off walking through the
trees…
Hansel was the brother and Gretel
was the sister and they lived with their
mummy and their daddy beside a big
dark scary wood . . . (page 115)
Answers will vary. Possible answer:
The allusions helps readers
understand the timelessness of
stories like Oliver and Crystal’s,
about children leaving home, only to
have something horrible happen to
them.
The fairytales, “Red
Riding Hood,”
“Goldilocks and the
Three Bears,” and
“Hansel and Gretel.”
Copyright © 2010 Junior Library Guild/Media Source, Inc.
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Social Studies Connection
Peaceful Demonstrations
In Chapter 11, Liam’s family and friends attend a demonstration in support of
Greg Armstrong, a journalist who has been taken hostage by terrorists. People
stage demonstrations such as this one as an alternative to using violence to get
what they want. What are the effects of peaceful demonstrations, and what are
other examples of ways they can be used? Discuss your ideas with a partner.
Responding to the Story
1. Gordon thinks there is no real difference between watching movie violence and actual violence.
Do you agree or disagree with him? Explain your answer.
Answers will vary. There is a wide spectrum of beliefs on this issue. However, most students
will agree that the difference between watching real and made-up violence depends largely on
the person. Gordon watches both, because he desires violence as part of his life. However,
others watch for different reasons, such as grim curiosity or a need to laugh in the face of
death. Also, many would contend that movie violence is watchable only because no one is
really getting hurt. Still others can’t bear the idea of watching any kind of violence.
2. In literature, dreams often provide clues about the truth of a situation or they foreshadow
coming events. What does Liam dream about in these chapters, and what do you think is the
significance of his dream?
Answers will vary. Liam dreams about killing Gordon, and it seems possible this could actually
happen, if Gordon continues pushing Liam’s buttons. However, other reasons the dream
could be significant are as evidence that Liam has become capable of real violence—or the
opposite, that Liam wants to annihilate the savagery Gordon represents.
3. In Book 2, Chapter 10, Crystal says she was almost adopted by a couple she really liked, but she
scared them off. Why might she have done this, and what does this show about her character?
Answers will vary. Perhaps she was afraid of having a family again, because her first family was
taken away. Or maybe becoming part of a new family felt like disloyalty to her first family.
Whatever the reason, it seems she’s unable to truly recover from her loss. This may be why she
identifies so much with Oliver.
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4. Denotation is the actual meaning of a word or words. Connotation is meaning beyond what
words state, or an implied meaning. Think about what the police officers have to say about
Liam. How does the denotation of what they say differ from the connotation, and for whom
do they intend the connoted meaning?
Possible answer: The denotation of what they say is that Liam is a good kid, but the
connotation is the opposite. They want Liam to know they aren’t fooled by his dishonesty.
Copyright © 2010 Junior Library Guild/Media Source, Inc.
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Book 3, Chapters 1–8:
Awaiting the Runaways
pages 119–142
Before You Read
Making Predictions
Gordon says that he intends to make his gory videos into high art. Do you think he could have
success in this endeavor? Why or why not?
Answers will vary. Earlier in the book, Liam says that his mother’s art is popular, because people
like the edge of violence in it. So, it could be that people will be receptive to Gordon’s videos as a
kind of art, even though it seems unlikely his videos would be appreciated in the same way that a
painting or photograph is.
After You Read
Mastering Vocabulary
Below are Greek and Latin root words from the Vocabulary lesson for Book 2, Chapters 1–6. For
each root word, write its meaning and then two words in which the root word can be found. Do
not use words given in the previous lesson. If you need help, use a word origins book or the
Internet. Answers will vary; possible answers shown.
Root Word
Meaning
Word 1
Word 2
sect
cut
sectional
dissect
phot
light
photographed
photosynthesis
cogn
know
recognized
cognizant
circum
around
circumference
circumnavigate
uni
one
unit
union
para
beside, near
parameter
parallel
Checking Predictions
Earlier, you made a prediction about whether or not Gordon would find success as an artist.
What have you read that supports or refutes your prediction?
Possible answer: As Gordon predicted, he has become a success for the very reasons he stated.
His videos have taken the place of some of Mum’s photos in the gallery where she sells.
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Analyzing the Writing: Historical and Literary Allusions
The following chart contains historical allusions. Complete the chart by
telling what the subject of each allusion is. Then tell the allusion’s purpose,
or how it helps readers understand ideas or events in the story. Use the
Internet or an encyclopedia if you need help.
Allusion
Subject(s)
“Horrible,” says Dad. Jesus Christ
“But hypnotic, you have to
give it that.”
Mum turns away.
“And it makes you
think.”
“Think of what?” says
Mum.
Sisyphus
“Of . . . Sisyphus,”
says Dad. “It makes you
think of Christ on his
cross.”
(page 124)
We’re in his bedroom. He’s Che Guevara
got his homework spread
on his desk in front of him.
Posters of Che Guevara,
Wayne Rooney and a
Massey Ferguson tractor are
on his wall.
(page 134)
Purpose
Answers will vary. Possible answer: The allusions
help illustrate Dad’s interpretation of Gordon’s art.
According to Christian faith, Jesus died on a cross
and then was resurrected. Like Jesus, the person in
Gordon’s video dies and then comes to life again.
According to Greek mythology, Sisyphus was a king
put to death for taking pleasure in killing. He
managed to cheat death twice through trickery;
however, he was finally captured and sentenced by
the gods to continue rolling a boulder up a hill until
he reaches the hilltop. For eternity, whenever he
nears the hilltop, the boulder rolls away from him,
down the hill. The person in Gordon’s video is like
Sisyphus, because his punishment never ends.
Answers will vary. Possible answer: The allusions
help readers understand Max’s character by showing
who his heroes are.
Che Guevara was a political figure known both as a
killer and a freedom fighter. People are divided as to
how to view him; some revere him for his ideals,
while others despise him for the deaths he caused
and the conflicts he inspired.
Wayne Rooney Wayne Rooney is a popular sports figure in England.
He is noted for the young age at which his rise to
fame as a footballer began.
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Getting to Know the Characters: Internal and External Conflict
An internal conflict is a problem a character experiences within him- or herself, such as
indecision or grief about a loss. An external conflict is a problem caused by actions taken
against a character by others in the story or forces in nature, such as weather or animals.
In the chart below are examples of conflict Liam experiences in Book 3, Chapters 1–8. Complete
the chart by telling whether each conflict is internal or external and then explaining your answer.
Note: Some conflicts can have both internal and external causes.
Conflict
Internal, External, or Both?
Explanation
Liam dreams of “Farmer Internal
Flynn, Crystal and Oliver,
Nattrass and knives and
Spotlight and snakes.”
Liam’s dreams are due to his fear of
the unknown and his struggle to
control his rage against Gordon.
Max thinks Liam should be Internal
more like him.
Liam disagrees with Max but misses
Max’s friendship.
Max and Liam get into a
fight at Max’s house.
External and Internal
External: Max uses physical force
against Liam.
Internal: Liam is hurt when Max
calls him a poser.
Liam can see that Max’s
dad thinks Liam is a bad
influence from a weird
family.
Internal
Liam feels misunderstood.
Gordon tracks Liam down External and Internal
and tells Liam he has spies
watching for Oliver and
Crystal.
External: Gordon’s watchfulness of
Liam and his friends is intended as
a threat against their plans to help
Oliver.
Internal: Gordon’s threats are a
mental irritation to Liam.
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Responding to the Story
1. Liam believes Crystal and Oliver will come from the direction of St. Michael and All Angels
rather than the military road. What might Crystal and Oliver’s route symbolize about their
characters?
Possible answer: Their route by way of the church instead of the military road might
symbolize them as characters whose influence will be for peace rather than violence.
2. In Book 3, Chapters 1 and 2, Mum and Dad debate about what art is. Whose side in the debate
would you take, and why?
Answers will vary. Students’ responses should reflect understanding that Mum believes art is
about beauty, and Dad thinks art is about ideas.
3. Do you think Dad is like Gordon? Explain your answer.
Answers will vary. Dad and Gordon definitely share ideas; Dad immediately understands and
defends what Gordon intends to say with his art. However, Dad does not live his life to
promote these ideas, the way Gordon does. Dad acknowledges they are interesting in the same
way he acknowledges other ideas, such as imprinting, are interesting.
4. What message do you think Gordon tries to send Liam by using Liam’s parents as inspiration
for his art?
Possible answer: On one hand, he tears Liam’s family down by making a mockery of the way
they express themselves. On the other hand, he proves he is right about Liam being like him, if
he can show that he and Liam are inspired by the same people and ideas.
5. Reread Book 3, Chapter 8. What event in this chapter could foreshadow what Liam will
become later in the story?
Possible answer: Alison and Mum paint Liam as a monster, and then Liam uses the paint to
make jagged marks on his face. This could foreshadow that Liam will become a monster, or
do something monstrous.
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Book 3, Chapters 9–16:
Past Lives
pages 143–171
Before You Read
Making Predictions
Do you think Oliver and Crystal will come to Liam soon, or do you think they will be caught
before they can arrive? Explain your answer.
Answers will vary. Both Liam and Gordon think Oliver and Crystal are on their way, so it seems
likely they will arrive shortly—if Gordon doesn’t set up a trap for them.
After You Read
Checking Predictions
Before reading you made a prediction about whether or not Oliver and Crystal would reach Liam.
What happened that confirmed or refuted your prediction?
Possible answer: Liam dreamed that he could see them traveling toward him, and when he awoke,
they were at his tent trying to wake him.
Mastering Vocabulary
Complete the following chart by going to each page number indicated and finding a simile, a
metaphor, or an idiom on the page, as directed. Then write the example of figurative language
you find. Note: More than one example of the figurative language indicated may be found on the
same page.
Location
Type of Figurative Language
Example
Page 143
Simile
I throw more sticks on the fire and it flares
and scatters sparks like dancing stars.
Page 146
Metaphor
I see the gleam of Oliver’s face, the white
bloom of Crystal’s.
Page 146
Idiom
“The back of beyond,” says Crystal. “And
beyond that.”
Page 167
Simile
“…Those people are like ghosts, like
scattered bits of memory, like things you
miss, like dreams you carry round with you.”
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Analyzing the Writing: Imagery
Imagery is descriptive language that appeals to the senses. Complete the
chart below by reading the page referenced and telling what imagery on it
relates to the sense indicated.
Location
Sense
Imagery
Page 144
Hearing
…Feet moving through dry grass.
…The click of the latch as they open the little gate…
…The creak as they pull the gate open.
…One word: Liam.
I try to call out to them but have no voice.
Page 149
Sight
…I lead Crystal and Oliver out of the garden and into the
fields through the predawn light.
The light intensifies…
…A low mist blankets the river…
The air’s…bright.
Page 153
Touch
The water’s icy.
We dive and let the current carry us…
…We swim against the current…
We…hug each other.
Our skin is cold.
Our hot hearts beat fiercely underneath.
Page 158
Taste
…Tins of beans and Irish stew and hotdogs…
…bags of boiled sweets…
…packets of rice and spaghetti…
…a chunk of Christmas cake wrapped in foil…
Page 169
Smell
I light a fire. I put the sausages I brought from home into an
aluminum pan. They start to sizzle and spit.
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Getting to Know the Characters: Traits
1. By what ritual do Crystal and Oliver show that they are respectful of life?
Possible answer: After killing a chicken for food, they bury its bones, thank it for being their
prey, and wish its spirit safe passage into the dark.
2. Reread page 150. How do Liam, Crystal, and Oliver’s ideas about the rock art differ, and what
might this show about their characters?
Possible answer: Liam thinks the art is mysterious; this is in line with his fanciful leanings.
Crystal thinks the art is simply nice shapes and patterns; this shows her tendency to see people
and life for what they are. Oliver thinks the art stands for the people who made it, before they
were taken; this shows his preoccupation with death and desire to leave a legacy of his own.
Responding to the Story
1. What does Liam dream about in Book 3, Chapter 9, and how is his dream powerful?
Possible answer: Liam dreams that he can see Oliver and Crystal traveling toward him. When
he awakes, they are there with him, and he learns that he saw their travels accurately.
2. On page 157, Liam tells Crystal and Oliver about his childhood fantasies and then laughs “at
the daftness of children’s dreams, at the beauty of them.” What makes the dreams both daft
and beautiful?
Possible answer: The dreams are daft, because they are dramatic fantasies about the world
ending. But they are beautiful, because they are about how he and his best friend were going to
create their own better world together.
3. Reread page 163. Why does Crystal think Liam is naive?
Possible answer: Liam doesn’t understand that he only craves adventure, because he is safe and
cared for.
4. How has Death Dealer’s purpose changed, under the influence of Crystal and Oliver?
Possible answer: Death Dealer has become a tool for making art, rather than threats.
5. How is Oliver like Thomas Fell?
Possible answer: He is a victim of war who doesn’t want to return to his home.
Copyright © 2010 Junior Library Guild/Media Source, Inc.
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Book 3, Chapter 17–Book 4, Chapter 2:
The Knife
pages 172–198
Before You Read
Making Predictions
What do you think Oliver’s story of his true past will reveal about his character?
Answers will vary. Oliver says his story will tell about “the darkness at the heart of the world.”
Also, it seems likely it will reveal truths about him that immigration officials know but he denies.
(Earlier in the story, we learned that officials believed Oliver was seventeen, though she believed
he was thirteen.) Perhaps Oliver has done something he isn’t proud of.
After You Read
Checking Predictions
Based on what you read, did you predict accurately about Oliver’s story? Explain your answer.
Answers will vary. Possible response: Yes; I was correct about Oliver’s story including truths
about him that he is not proud of. After his family was killed, he became a child soldier who
committed terrible acts against people, because that is what he was trained to do.
Mastering Vocabulary
On the lines below, write a summary of events from Raven Summer that includes three words with
Greek or Latin roots studied in this Reading Guide and one example of each of these types of
figurative language: metaphor, simile, and idiom.
Answers will vary.
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Analyzing the Writing: Juxtaposition and Tension
1. In these chapters, we learn that Oliver is two people at once: He is the person Crystal and Liam
know, as well as seventeen-year-old Henry Meadows. Oliver always tries to tell the truth in his
stories. If his real name is Henry Meadows, what might be the truth in his story about Oliver?
Answers will vary. Possible answer: Oliver is innocent of the war crimes Henry Meadows
committed. Oliver represents who Henry would have been, had he not been taken away from
his village to become a soldier.
2. Before Oliver lost his family, how was his life like Liam’s? Afterward, how did his life change?
Possible answer: Like Liam, Oliver once played, went to school, and anticipated the day when
war would come to his village. After his family was killed, Oliver’s life changed drastically. He
was forced to become the same kind of soldier that killed his family.
3. How was Gordon both right and wrong about Oliver?
Possible answer: Gordon predicted that Oliver was a war criminal who would become a danger
to him. However, Gordon did not see his own part in what would happen with Oliver; he
didn’t understand that Oliver would be peace loving until Gordon provoked him with hatred
and bullying.
He also didn’t understand how terrorists are made.
4. How was Oliver both right and wrong about England?
Possible answer: Oliver believed England was a country with no war. While it is true that
England does not have the civil strife found in Liberia, the jets thundering and guns firing
from the training ground near Kane’s Cave show that England has not given up warring.
5. Why did Liam try to kill Gordon? Was it to protect Oliver, or was it simply because he hated
Gordon?
Possible answer: Both motives were so closely entwined that Liam seems not to know which
made him snap. He only knows the shock and regret for having done what he did.
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Responding to the Story
1. What did Henry’s dad believe about Europe and America, and how did this connect to his
hopes for Henry?
Possible answer: Henry’s dad believed Europe and America were peaceful countries where
Henry could go to become an educated man and then bring back what he learned to Liberia,
so that it could be a better place.
2. According to Henry’s story, how are Liberian children turned into soldiers?
Possible answer: The children’s families are killed, and then the children are fed drugs, given
guns, and taught that obedience in their new lives as warriors will earn them the love and
approval they naturally crave.
3. What does Henry find most appalling about the soldiers who killed his family and the soldier
he became?
Possible answer: He found most appalling that their annihilation of families and villages was
an act they could do with complete calm, because it had become so ordinary. The child
soldiers used to play with each other between killing assignments, the way kids play together at
recess.
4. Think about the character archetype The Devil. Earlier in this guide, we said that Gordon was in
league with The Devil; this means The Devil is actually something else in this story. What is it?
Possible answer: The Devil is the beast inside each of us that takes over and makes killing and
destruction easy.
5. What does Liam do with the knife at the end of the story, and what might his act symbolize?
Possible answer: Liam buries the knife and the money he stole from Alison’s jar in the garden,
where he first found the knife. This act may symbolize that Liam wants to bury his violent
urges, but he doesn’t want to bury them very deep. Like his time capsule at Kane’s Cave,
Liam’s knife and Alison’s money are where he can find them, if he needs them.
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Wrap-up
Reviewing Predictions
Turn to page 5 of this guide to review your first predictions. How accurate were they?
Answers will vary.
Making Connections
1. On page 47, Liam says, “I’m growing and I don’t know how to grow. I’m living, but I haven’t
started living yet.” Do you relate to what Liam says? Why or why not?
Answers will vary.
2. On page 57, Crystal says, “Maybe we’re all daft, and maybe we’re all normal, all at the same
time.” How is this true of you and the people you know?
Answers will vary.
Thinking About Characters
Raven Summer is about a character that comes to understand his violent tendencies and where they
could lead him. What are other stories you know in which characters make a similar discovery
about themselves? How do they deal with what they learn?
Answers will vary.
Thinking About Theme
1. One could say that Liam’s story begins with the raven, but Liam says his story “starts and ends
with the knife.” What story is Liam telling?
Possible answer: Liam is telling the story of why he decided to suppress his violent urges
rather than continue to glorify violence.
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2. What parts of Liam’s story are like a fairytale, and what do they show about how fact relates to
fantasy?
Possible answer: The circumstances by which Liam, Alison, Oliver, and Crystal find each other
are what make Liam’s story seem like a fairytale. The circumstances feel fairytale-like, because
they are unexplained. (Was the raven trained by the hiker, or did the raven find Liam and Max
on its own? Was Alison the hiker’s baby or someone else’s?) The story shows that fact only
gets people so far in understanding what happens to them; at some point they must use their
imaginations to explain events.
3. Some people believe that fate is predetermined, while others believe we all make our own fate.
Based on what you have read in Raven Summer, what do you think David Almond believes
about fate? Explain your answer.
Answers will vary. David Almond seems to believe that fate is determined both by mystery and
personal decision. (In his story, Liam, Crystal and Oliver find each other first by chance but
then again by choice.) However, Almond’s biggest idea about fate may be that it’s not as
important to understand fate as it is to appreciate the power of our connections to people.
4. Gordon mocks the idea that universal love will solve the world’s problems. What is right and
wrong about his assessment?
Answers will vary. Gordon is probably right that violence won’t end because everyone learns to
love one another. However, he underestimates the power of one person deciding to love
everyone. People who come together under this decision derive strength from each other and
feel like they are doing something positive with their lives. They also protect themselves and
others by keeping the “savage within” at bay. This doesn’t solve the world’s problems, but it
makes the world a better place in which to live.
Copyright © 2010 Junior Library Guild/Media Source, Inc.
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Library Applications
Foundlings in Literature
In Raven Summer, the author makes allusions to other
stories about foundlings, such as Goldilocks, Hansel
and Gretel, and Red Riding Hood. Have students
think of other foundling stories they know from pop
culture, the news, ancient texts, and contemporary
fiction. (Examples include Little Orphan Annie, Moses in
the Bulrushes, Wuthering Heights, and many others.)
Discuss what lessons the stories teach; what special
abilities foundlings are thought to derive from their
unusual circumstances; and why people seem always
to have been drawn to stories about foundling
children. Then have students write foundling stories
of their own to share with their classmates.
Current Events
The year in which Raven Summer takes place is never stated, but historical events the author
references involve Tony Blair, George Bush, and Saddam Hussein, suggesting that Liam’s story
takes place not long after 9/11. Have students use the Internet and periodicals to conduct
research and take notes about why 9/11 happened, how world leaders responded, and what
different groups around the world think of the events and how they were handled. Have them
use their findings to discuss how themes in Raven Summer are reflected in recent history and how
the events surrounding 9/11 continue to affect relationships among different political groups
today.
The Roman Empire
Hadrian’s Wall, a structure in England
that dates back to the reign of the
Roman Empire, is one of many
archaeological sites that serve as
evidence of how far-reaching the
Roman Empire once was. Have
students use reference books to find
out more about famous ruins from
the Roman Empire, where they are
found, and what they show about the
Roman culture and technology of that
time. Have each create a poster about
a different archaeological site that
shows what site looks like and
explains its historical significance.
A section of Hadrian’s Wall near Greenhead, Northumberland
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Suggestions for Further Reading
Other books by David Almond
Clay. Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2008.
Counting Stars. Laurel Leaf, 2003.
The Fire Eaters. Yearling, 2005.
Heaven Eyes. Laurel Leaf, 2002.
Kit’s Wilderness. Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2009.
The Savage. Candlewick, 2008.
Secret Heart. Laurel Leaf, 2004.
Skellig. Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2009.
Fiction books you may also like:
Marchetta, Melina. Jellicoe Road. HarperTeen, 2008.
Chambers, Aidan. Postcards from No Man’s Land. Speak, 2007.
Green, John. Looking for Alaska. Speak, 2008.
Rosoff, Meg. How I Live Now. Wendy Lamb Books, 2006.
Myers, Walter Dean. Monster. Amistad, 2001
Hesse, Karen. Witness. Scholastic Paperbacks, 2003.
Copyright © 2010 Junior Library Guild/Media Source, Inc.
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Correlations to National Standards
For Grades 9–12
Content Area
Standard Number
Standard Objective
Languages Arts: English
NL–ENG.K–12.1 Reading for Perspective
Languages Arts: English
NL–ENG.K–12.2 Reading for Understanding
Languages Arts: English
NL–ENG.K–12.3 Evaluation Strategies
Languages Arts: English
NL–ENG.K–12.4 Communication Skills
Languages Arts: English
NL–ENG.K–12.5 Communication Strategies
Languages Arts: English
NL–ENG.K–12.6 Applying Knowledge
Language Arts: English
NL–ENG.K–12.7 Evaluating Data
Languages Arts: English
NL–ENG.K–12.8 Developing Research Skills
Languages Arts: English
NL–ENG.K–12.12 Applying Language Skills
Science
NS.9–12.3
Life Science
Social Sciences
NSS-C.9–12.1
Civic Life, Politics, and Government
Social Sciences
NSS-C.9–12.4
Other Nations and World Affairs
Fine Arts
NA–VA.9–12.3
Choosing and Evaluating a Range of
Subject Matter, Symbols, and Ideas
Fine Arts
NA–VA.9–12.4
Understanding the Visual Arts in
Relation to History and Cultures
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