In my Year 10 English class, we’ve recently completed a unit of work on the book “A Bridge to Wiseman’s Cove” by James Moloney.

Here’s the resources that I’ve prepared for this book, which you may find useful to use with your classes (click more to view). There are some introductory activites, a major assignment and a book review. The book review task can be modified and adapted to suit any book really. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

Introductory Activities

Family

Carl Matt wants nothing more than to be a part of a family, something he has never experienced. He is acutely aware of the fact that everyone else seems to have what he never has.

Carl floated in a sea of families where everyone, it seemed, walked, spoke and laughed with at least one other – a daughter, a father, a mate. (p23)

For all that she is related to the boys, Aunt Beryl does not welcome Carl & Harley as family. She is only interested in letting the boys stay so that she can obtain their social security payments.

1. What is a family? Does it have to be a “nuclear family” – mother, father and children? [5 marks]

2. Do you have to be related to people to feel a part of a family? [2 marks]

3. Why are families so important to many people? [3 marks]

4. What would you miss out on if you weren’t part of a family group? [3 marks]

5. Are there any disadvantages in being part of a family? [2 marks]

Love

Carl Matt is crippled by the belief that his mother doesn’t love him. Carl himself is a gentle person with a lot of love to give.

• He goes to Nugent’s store every afternoon to meet the bus, hoping that his mother will get off it.
• He buys reflectors for Harley’s bike and a coffee plunger for Beryl, even though he receives and expects nothing in return.
• He constantly looks out for Harley and tries to protect him.

6. Why do you think Carl continues to go see the bus arrive, when he’s been let down by his mother so many times before? [2 marks]

7. If you were in Carl’s situation, with very little cash and no idea when you’d be getting more, would you have bought Harley and Beryl presents for Christmas? Why/why not? [3 marks]

Body Image

Carl is big and awkward and very aware of his body. He is too self-conscious to swim, afraid of what others might say.

He wore a t-shirt as a paltry ruse against public humiliation. (p44)

In contrast, Justine is quite comfortable in her own skin.

8. Do you think the other teens in the novel are as conscious of Carl’s size? [2 marks]

9. Consider the effects of body image on a teenager. How can it affect a person’s self-esteem? [3 marks]

Major Assignment

Pick one of the following topics, and prepare a 500 word essay, addressing all of the questions that are related to that topic. Use quotes from the book to help strengthen your essay.

Preconceptions

Carl suffers from the behaviour of his family – “the curse of the Matts”. Everyone assumes that because he is a Matt he will cause problems. Even Skip Duncan doesn’t want to employ Carl once he realises who he is.

I lost so much that day ‘cause of your grandfather. ‘Cause of you Matts. Why should I care what happens to any of you? Bloody Matts. Rotten to the core. Every one I’ve ever laid eyes on. (p157)

Part A: Can you identify any groups or people in society about which you or others may have preconceived ideas? What impact does this have on the way you view them and treat them?

Part B: Consider the ‘Pygmalion effect’ (people rise to the levels of expectations others have for them). Can you think of any circumstances where this may come into play? What impact does it have?

Rites of Passage

During the course of the novel the self conscious, awkward Carl matures and begins to stand up for himself. Consider the changes in Carl throughout the novel. Each time Carl starts to get a little more self-confident another secret is revealed and he slips back into his self-doubts.

Track the development of Carl’s personality through the novel, describing the rises and falls in his confidence and the events that caused this.

Belonging

When Carl arrives in Wattle Beach he doesn’t fit in as he is neither a local nor a visitor. He watches the other teens from a safe distance, but he never joins in. When he goes to work on the Duncan’s barge, A Bridge to Wiseman’s Cove, for the first time in his life he feels as if he belongs.

Part A: Consider the significance of each of the following passages from the novel:

• “It’s sort of my hat. I don’t want you to pay for it.” Skip knew men well enough. He slipped the note back into his pocket. Stared at Carl. Saw what he hadn’t thought to find. Not in someone called Matt. (p75)
• He couldn’t explain to the boy how he loved working on the barge, how alive he felt between its rusting sides. (p102)
• You and Skip both. You’re a pair. I don’t suppose he’s told you how important you are to us. We need you. The barge has stopped losing money these last few weeks – it’s all because of you and the rinsing off you do. (p 114)

Part B: Why do people need to feel that they belong to something?

Book Review

Prepare a 350 word book review on “A Bridge to Wiseman’s Cove”. Use quotes from the book to help strengthen your review.

Note: You don’t have to answer every question, they’re suggestions to help get you started.

Points to Ponder:

• What was the story about?
• Who were the main characters?
• Were the characters real/believable?
• What did the main characters do in the story?
• Did the main characters run into any problems?
• What adventures did the main characters go on?
• Who was your favourite character? Why?
• What were the main themes in the book?

Your personal experiences

• Could you relate to any of the characters in the story?
• Have you ever done or felt some of the things that the characters did?

Your opinion

• Did you like the book?
• What was your favourite part of the book?
• Do you have a least favourite part of the book?
• If you could change something, what would it be? (If you wish you could change the ending, don’t reveal it!)

Your recommendation

• Would you recommend this book to another person?
• What type of person would like this book?