Answer these questions.
Why doesn't Will want to be Imogen's godfather?
What two things is Marcus worried about? Why?
Why does Angle want to go out with Will?
Why does Will join SPAT?
Why don't Nicky and Mark want Marcus as their friend?

Chapters 3-4

Before you read
Discuss these questions:
What do you think is wrong with Fiona? What might help her?
What are Marcus's main problems at school? How can things get better for him?

After you read
Are these sentences true or false? Correct the false ones.
Will has a two-year-old son called Ned.
Will wants Suzie to be his girlfriend.
Marcus throws a stone at a duck.
Suzie is angry with Fiona.
Marcus wants his mother and Will to have a relationship.
Will thinks Fiona is very attractive.

Chapters 5-6

Before you read
Discuss these questions:
Marcus knows the truth about Ned. What do you think he will do with this information? Why?
Do you think Will will go out with Fiona? Would they be happy together, what do you think? Why (not)?

After you read
What importance do the following terms have in the story?
-Countdown
-a pair of Adidas trainers
-a sweatshirt with a picture of a famous singer
-the group Nirvana

Work in pairs. Act out this telephone conversation.
Student A: You are Fiona. Telephone Suzie and tell her that Will has been lying about Ned.
Student B: You are Suzie. You are angry and shocked. You have a lot of questions to ask Fiona.

Chapters 7-8

Before you read
'Ellie and Zoe stood beside him and Marcus felt great.' Why does Marcus feel great? Do you think things will change for him at school, or not?

After you read
Who is speaking? Who are they talking to?
'I want you to pretend to be my son.'
'It's easy to see that you don't know anything about kids.'
'What is your kind of work?'
'I think it was going to die anyway.'
'She's only keen on me!'
'Will really fancies you.'

Chapters 9-11

Before you read
Discuss these questions.
Will has fallen in love with Rachel. What effect is this going to have on his life, do you think?
What kind of relationship will Marcus have with Ellie?

Answer the questions.
What is cardboard used for?
When might you want to hug someone?
What does it mean if you are the victim of a crime?
Which countries are famous for their vodka?

After you read
Work in pairs. Act out this conversation.
Student A: You are a passenger on the train with Ellie and Marcus. You want to read your book. You are getting very annoyed about Ellie's behaviour. Talk to her.
Student B: You are Ellie. You are upset about Kurt Cobain's death. You don't want to be quiet, and you don't care that you are annoying the other passengers.

Fiona and Clive both say that they have been bad parents to Marcus.
Do you agree? Why (not)? Will they behave differently now?

Writing
Write a one-page advertisement to put in a shop window.
Imagine that you are the policewoman who interviews Ellie in Royston. Write a report of the interview.
Imagine that you are Ellie. Write a letter to Ruth. Apologize for breaking her shop window.
How have Will and Marcus grown up by the end of the story? Describe the reasons for the changes in their attitudes and behaviour.
Imagine that you are Fiona. Write a letter to Clive. Describe your new relationship with Marcus at the end of the story. Explain how you will now be a better mother.
Find out more about Kurt Cobain and write about his life.

Excerpted from: Penguin Readers Marketing Department, Pearson Education