Write Reviews - Assignment One by Sarah Jones ©2012

Part One: Plot Notes

Book One – Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden

Main Characters:

Ellie Linton                             Homer Yannas

Lee Takkam                            Kevin Holmes

Corrie MacKenzie                   Robyn Mathers

Fiona Maxwell

Main Points:

·         Ellie organizes a camping trip to a local spot called Hell for herself and 6 friends from school.

·         While away, it was noted that a number of planes flew overhead in the middle of the night.

·         Upon return home, homes deserted and animals left dead or close to death. As a group, they set about checking everyone’s homes.

·         While doing a undercover check of the town, they are shot and Lee is injured.

·         Almost get caught while searching the town, almost get captured, but get out of the situation with a front end loader

·         Return to Hell campsite and set up base camp to work from.

·         Raid nearby houses for food and other supplies

·         Move towards fighting the invaders, by blow up the main bridge out of Wirrawee. In the ensuring skirmish, Corrie is injured.

·         Kevin takes Corrie to the Hospital. While it is not explicitly states, it is implied he has given himself up to get Corrie the hospital treatment she needs.  

Book Two – Australian First Aid by St John

Title: Australian First Aid, 4^th Edition

Author – St John

Main Points:

·         Designed to be used on its own, as a reference.

·         However, also advisable to have attended a course.

·         Given to people attending Senior First Aid Courses run by St John

·         Has colour coded chapters, for the common illnesses and accidents faced within Australian conditions.

·         Helps people deal with these situations until trained help is gained (via ambulance service or until the person is able to access a GP or hospital)

·         Provides pictures to accompany text, giving step by step instructions.

 Summary:

This book is a useful resource for those needing to undertake a senior first aid course for work, personal development or community organisation requirements. The diagrams and the step by step instructions provide a guide on what to do in different situations.

The book is generally given to people who have paid into and attended the Senior First Aid courses run by St John Australia. It is also up dated regularly as their training changes over time.

Part Two: Plot Summary – Recommendation to a friend

To XXXXX,

When you wrote and asked me what I had read recently that was a good teen novel, I immediately thought of Tomorrow When The War Began by John Marsden.  It is written by an Australian Author, and is set on the east coast of Australia. It is the first book in a series titled ‘Tomorrow’, written by John Marsden. Having recently read the book, it is certainly one that I can see appealing to the teen market.

The book is about Ellie, who organises a week camping trip in the bush with her friends for a week, heading to the remote area of bush known locally as “Hell”, a very isolated and secluded spot. While away, a large number of plans are seen flying overhead with no lighting.  While it was commented on, being teenagers, and away from their parents, it wasn’t given much thought at the time. Unknowingly, the country has been invaded while they are away.

The story follows their discover of the invasion upon their return from the camping trip, the evasion of capture by using a fuel tank to create a diversion and plotting to blow up the main bridge used to get into and out of town. However, in the ensuring fight, Corrie is shot. Kevin takes her to the occupied town hospital.

The book is ideal for both male and female teen readers. It has also been listed by the Education Department in NSW as a book to be read by those in the mid years of high school.

 I believe that it would appeal to both male and female readers. The main character is female, and romance, which may appeal to female teen readers. There is action, fighting and bloodshed (although not overly done and certainly not the main focus of the book) that would appeal to the male teen readers. I believe that this is a book that is written for both male and female readers alike. The depth of the story, and the manner in which it is written would allow teen readers to identify with the characters.

It captures the essence of growing up and of the need to stretch the boundaries by organising the camping trip. Then having to deal with the sudden discovery that your parents and support networks are no longer there to guide you or to protect you from the unknown. It is shows how people can come together to utilise the different skills that people possess. As a book, it allows the reader to understand that the characters are concerned about their family and friends, combined with having to face up the challenges of having to rely upon themselves, finding depths of character that they most likely didn’t know they possess.

It is certainly a book that I would recommend for the teen looking for something different to read. For those who are not avid readers, I believe the movie version of the book would also appeal to the discerning teen.

Sarah Jones ©2012