Some Important Evidence From the Text

7/27/2019 Some Important Evidence From the Text

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SOMEIMPORTANTEVIDENCE FROM

THE TEXTISSUE

EXPLANATION EVIDENCE

1.Rorysresponsibility oftaking care ofgrandpa

Rory is aware of his responsibility

of taking care of his granda

despite his young age.Why couldnt people

realise that I was all my

grandahad.and.Granda was

all I had too. If they put

Granda into a

home.where would I go?

1. My granda never forgot totake his pills; because I made

sure he took them.

1. Sometimes living with mygranda was like having a baby

in the house.2. Did she see me sneak into thebakers at the corner for

two hot pies? Did she knowalready that Granda never

had my lunch ready? Grandarelied on me to bring h im

his lunch everyday. I hadtogo home at lunch time. I had

to make sure he was takinghis pills.

3. My granda had taken care ofme all my life. Now, when

he was getting old andforgetful and was never quite

well, now it was my turn tolook after my granda.4. But if it wasnt myresponsibility, then whosewas it?5.Are you alright Granda? Aslong as Im with you.(ch 26)

2. Rory treats his

grandpa like a

young child.

1. Now sit down, Granda, and

behave yourself.

2. The trouble is , he just doesnt

know how to handle my

granda like I do. Youve got

to throw the insults right

back at him, and my dad

cant do that. Every time my

granda insults him, he just


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keeps apologising to him.

(chp 33)

3. Rory recognises

Grandas

carelessness withfire.

1. You were on fire, granda. Iput you out. It hadnt

been the first time either

granda had set somethingon fire with that pipe of his.

He never put it outproperly. He always left it to

smoulder.2. Left electric ring switched onand burned a pot.3. Grandas coat is accidentallyset on fire when he is in

school for Parents Day.

4. Concept of Family 1. There was only Granda andme. Were the two of us

enough to make a family?2. We still had each other (chp12)3. He can behave anyway hewants. Hes the best granda

in the world. (chp 12)4. I wanted to tell him that I haddone this for both of us,

so we could be together, theway we were meant to be.

I wanted to tell him that Iwould anything so we could be

together. Anything. (Chp 14).

.No, Granda, were a team.Together. There was no otherway. (chp 17)

5. Grandas pride 1. I moulded him into the boyhe is today.2. Youre a great boy RoryIdont deserve ye3. The only son Ive got nowis you, Rory. Youre the best

boy that ever lived. I dontneed anybod y else, and

neither do you.

4. Im a lucky man, Rory. Alucky, lucky m an. What did I

do to d eserve a boy l ike

you? Youre the most specialboy th at ever l ived.

Youve done all this for me?5. Ive not got a son, youremy son. Nothing, nobody in

between, eh?


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6. Were the news..(ch25)

6. Others concern

for Rory and his

duties

Rory cant do everything. ..Hesonly a boyHe needs help.(Doctor Nicol)(Darrens mum) It worries my

mum, Rory. She says that atyour age you should be playingfootball. You shouldnt have thatmind of.responsibility.(Val Jessup)Youre just a boyRory. You cant take theresponsibility of yourgrandfather, not any more.(Ruby)it was the boy wewere thinking about. Same ageas Tyrone.

7. Grandas failing

memory

Granda was always forgetting

where he had put things away.

1. My Granda was always

putting it away somewheresafe and then couldnt

remember where. (homework)

8. Granda was a hit

with Rorys

friends.

Rorys friends all loved Granda

they thought his exploits were

hilarious.

1. I was kinda proud that my

granda was everybodys

Granda.

9. Rorys sacrifice Rory does not play football even

though he is good at the game.

Youre a good little footballer.

You should be in the team. You

were in the team once. You

should be in the team Rory.

Anyway, you know I cant get to

football practice. How would I

get to the games? Who would

look after my granda?

10. Rorys plight

about

Rachnadar

Rory knows that the old peoples

hospital is the last place for his

granada.

My granda will never go into ahome. It will kill him.Im never going back. Id ratherdie of cold and hunger and befree!(chp 19)

11. Rory wants to

know about hisfather.

Im wondering what my dadwas like, Granda.

12. Granda does not

like Rorys

father (his son)

He was a spoiled brat of aboy!...I was too old to be hisdad.we both spoiled himrotten. Anything he wanted hegot, and when he got it, he threwit aside..he did the same thing


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with your mother. He did it withyou too. He couldnt faceresponsib i l i ty .When he left Rory, I told himnever to com e back. Told him

I washed my hands of him .

Never wanted to hear from

him again. He was a waste of

space. A waste of space!

13. Friends in their

life

1. Val Jessup

2. Mrs Foley is

relieved with the

idea of a social

worker

3. Tyrone, Sammy

and Ruby

4. Rab

- a socialworker, assigned to our

case.

- Im glad about that at least.

You do need some help.

- What are you helping us for?

The police would have got

you if we hadnt.

- Youre not criminals, are you?

I mean, youre not goingto jump me and steal my cash,

are you?

14. Rorys pact with

God

Listen, Big Man, my names

Rory. .want him to wake up.

(Ch 26) OK, Big Man, I need

some help here. I cant do this

on my own.

The Big Man work s quick ly

sometimes. I wasnt alone. I

had a dad. He had a son. An di t was t ime he l ived up to his

responsib i l i t ies. (Chp 26)

15. Childrens home

in Castle Street

Chapter 7 Setting

Grandas reaction:

Both Grandson and Grandfather

look out for each other .

- Im only here till my granda

gets out of hospital.

- No grandson of mine is going

to Castle Street. Not when

Im alive.

16. Rorys trying

times

Chapter 12 i. The idea of Mrs Foleyfostering loomed over me;ii. At Castle Street, Tess had tobe watched constantly as I

waiterd for her to launchherself at me again;iii. At Rachnadar, my grandaretreated further and further

into a shell

17. Theme Impact of the new world? People then cared about each

other. Looked out for each other.

Nownobody cares about


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Kindness

(ch 28)

To find what he was looking for

(Chp 33)

anybody but themselves. Its a

horrible world Rory.

People are kind Rory. I thought

the whole world was going to the

dogs, and then you meetkindness like this. Its a

wonderful world, Rory.

A wonderful world Passing us

like the baton in a relay race.

People who didnt even know us,

but who were willing to help

anyway.

But were together . Well always

be together. And Ive found a

family.

18. Running away THE GREAT ESCAPE (chp 13)

THE SECOND ESCAPE ( CHAP

31)- Stone bus shelter

Chapter 32 running for help.

If I were younger Id run away

from here somewhere where

theyd never find me.

Me and my granda were going

to run away.

- Go to my mums caravan.Its

dead secluded. Nobody would

ever find you there.

No Rory, nothings changed. Id

rather be here in this cold busshelter with you than anywhere

else in the world. I want us to

stay together as long as we can.

Is that a deal? Its a deal

Granda

But I had gone to them. Because

I had no choice.

19. Reverse Roles Rory prepares to get his granda

out of Rachnadar.

Where am I going son?I

looked up at him and a wave of

love swept over me. My grandalooked like a little boy, as if he

were my baby brother, relying on

me to make things better, just as

Id always relied on my granda.

Im getting you out of here.

My granda was like a little boy,

allowing himself to be led,


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without a word, without a

question. Safe in the knowledge

that I would look after him.

20. TV headlines Val Jessup appears on TV.

Darrens mum on TV

TV reporter chp 26

We were in no trouble. The

authorities were only worried

about us both, especially mygranda, whose health was a real

concern.

Come back son. Bring your

granda. He cant take this. Hes

not well. You know that. Youve

got to come back.

- the question is how can an old

man and a boy disappear like

this? The answer had to be that

people are helping them out.

The public are very much on

their side.

Mister McIntoshs son has been

traced to Liverpool.

21. Rorys worry He is worried that Sammy will be

in trouble for helping them.

Rory learns a lesson never to

judge anyone again.

Why should we? We havent

kidnapped you. And youre not

escaped convicts. Its a free

country. You can go where you

please.

22. Rubys fortune

telling

Will they catch us?

No, they wont catch you Rory

They wont find you. It is you

who will go to them. You wont

have nay choice.

Never.

Me and my granda, well always

be together , wont we?

You will meet people who will

help you. And there will be

people you cant trust. Youre

looking for something, Rory, and

when you find it, everything

changes for you. .And a

terrible sadness will come first.Because of that terrible

sadness, Rory, you will find the

thing youre looking for.

23. Public

responses over

Chapter 27 Public responses

about: how the system had let us

If the old man had any sensehed bring the laddie back home.Hes missing school and


7/26

the TV national

news

down; how it was all societys

fault; the breakdown of

community, of family, the failure of

social workers; everyone was

blamed.

goodness knows what terriblethings could happen to him.I think its wonderful! They dont

want to be split up, so whatchoice did they have?Leave them be. Let them live

and die together. Theyve notdone anything wrong.wasting police time.Rubys response: People are

taking sides about you, arguingabout the rights and wrongs ofyour case. Thats good. Themore people who know yourplight, the better chance of youstaying together.

24. Rorys

frustration

(chp 30)

He hated his father for not coming

up, asking to meet them.

I could have cried with

frustration. I had thought I had

figured it all out. Go to Liverpool.Let my grandas son, my father,

deal with it .but now my

granda knew my plan there was

no way he would go there.

25. Rory meets his

dad

Rory, Im your dad.

I was young, Rory, and stupid.

Too scared to come back

because my dad said he hated

me. Didnt want to see me again.

But as soon as I saw the wo of

you on the news. I got in touchwith the plice. Honest. Just give

me a chance to prove I can be a

good dad again, a good son.

Source : Draft from "Catch Us If

You Can"

Curriculum Development

Division.

Hopefully this will benefit all

SPM students ...

The different characters found in the novel :


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Character What They Do To Help Why They Help

Darren

1. He helps Rory come with an excuse for Mrs.

Foley as to why Rory had not passed up his

homework.

2. He is a good listener and although he

conveys his mothers messages / opinions

to Rory, he himself is worried about the

burden of responsibility that his dear friend

has to bear.

3. Darren comes up with the solution that

Rory and Granda could escape to his

mothers secluded but comfortable

caravan when Rory knew he had to take his

grandfather away from Rachnadar. Roryswears Darren to secrecy and in turn the

latter sneaks Rory the spare key of the

caravan.

4. Later, Darren texts Rory to warn him that

the police know where Rory and his

grandfather are and encourages him to run

away.

Darren Fisher is Rorys best pal

and genuinely likes Granda too.

Sammy

. When Rory and Granda have to leave the first

caravan, and are unable to run away fast because

of Grandas health, Sammy comes up from behind

to lead them out of the police search. He practically

A kind man, he wants to help the

two of them escape the police

and the media.


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offers his help, leading them through the trees andbushes.

. Sammy explains that the police would have got to

Rory and Granda if he and Tyrone had not helped

them instead. They had actually recognised them

after watching the television and decided that they

would be the ones to help when it was needed.

. Sammy understood Grandas initial mistrust of

them but he was willing to drive the camper van

out of police scrutiny and move on to his brothers

place far south to Dundee.

4. At the railway station, Sammy gives Rory his

mobile number and makes Rory promise that he

will call Sammy if he needed anything.

Annie and Rab

. Rab takes them under his wing when he

sees that Granda is unable to continue

driving the stolen car and allows them to

stay in his flat.

2. Rab is keen to get a doctor to look into

Grandas health and reassures Rory that he

would (not) turn them in.

. It is Rab who first suggests to Rory that he

should go to Liverpool to meet his father.

4. When the police are looking for the stolen

car, Rab comes up with the idea of driving

to the border and to hand them over to his

girlfriend, Annie who would then take them

closer to Liverpool.

Rab is the petrol station

attendant who recognises them

and wants to help them.

Annie is Rabs girlfriend.


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5. Annie later drives them to Normas house.

Norma and

Nicola

1. Norma prepares a great dinner for both of

them. Nicola is adamant that the both of

them have done the correct thing.

2. Norma has agreed to drive them to

Liverpool.

3. Norma actually tells the police when she

realises that Rorys dad has to know of their

whereabouts. (What do you think of Norma,

has

she done the right thing? )

Norma is Annies cousin.

Nicol is Normas daughter.

Dr Nicol

1. Cares for Granda and provides him with the

necessary pills.

2. Is very concerned about Rory and about

how he has to care for his grandfather at

such a young age.

3. He is fond of both Rory and Granda thinks

they are like a doubleact.

4. Tell Mister McIntosh that he is indeed a

lucky man to have a grandson like Rory

5. He is concerned for both of them and was

going to do his best to get a home help.

Finally, he arranges for Val Jessup a social

worker, to take care of the affairs of Granda

and Rory.

An old family friend and doctor

who cares for Granda and is also

worried for Rory and his

responsibilities.


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Val Jessup

1. She is nervous about Rory living alone in the

flat after the fire mishap and so drives him

to the childrens home in Castle Street.

2. She takes Rory to the hospital to see his

grandfather but keeps her worries about

the latters health a secret.

3. Eventually, it is she who tells Rory that the

authorities have moved granda to the old

peoples home and that Rory, being young,

really cannot take the responsibility of

caring for his aged and unwell grandfather.

4. When Rory and his grandfather are on the

run, Val Jessup appears on TV to address

them, appealing for them to get in touch,

stating that the authorities were only

worried abut them and that it was grandas

health that was the main concern.

A social worker who, in her

enthusiasm in her first case,

really takes to heart about

Granda and Rory.

edited from source : CDC

at11:26 PMNo comments: Labels:catch us if you can

Catch Us if you can - moral valuesValues in life

Values Textual evidence

Family relationships

and bonds must be

appreciated and

maintained.

No Rory, nothings changed. Id rather be here in this cold bus shelter

with you than anywhere else in the world. I want us to stay together

as long as we can. Is that a deal? Its a deal Granda

Communication is an

important feature

I wanted to tell him that I had done this for both of us, so we could

be together, the way we were meant to be. I wanted to tell him that
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among friends and

family members.

I would anything so we could be together. Anything. (Chap. 14).

Trust is a vital

component in

bridginggenerations.


My granda was like a little boy, allowing himself to be led, without a

word, without a question. Safe in the knowledge that I would look

after him.

Those we should

trust may sometimes

let us down; those

we do not trust may

sometimes be our

friends in need.

You will meet people who will help you. And there will be people

you cant trust. Youre looking for something, Rory, and when you

find it, everything changes for you. .And a terrible sadness will

come first.

Because of that terrible sadness, Rory, you will find the thing youre

looking for.

- source : CDC


Catch us if you can : Themes and evidence to support the

themes

Themes Evidence from the excerpts

1. Family and

relationships

There was only Granda and me. Were the two of us enough to make a

family?

We still had each other (chap. 12)

3. He can behave anyway he wants. Hes the best granda in the world.(chap. 12)

4. Im only here till my granda gets out of hospital.- No grandson of

mine is going to Castle Street. Not when Im alive.
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13/26

2. Growing up

/

Adolescence

1. My granda never forgot to take his pills; because I made sure he took

them.

2. OK, Big Man, I need some help here. I cant do this on my own.

3. Social and

civic

responsibilities

1. People are kind Rory. I thought the whole world was going to the dogs,

and then you meet kindness like this. Its a wonderful world, Rory.

2. A wonderful world Passing us like the baton in a relay race. People

who didnt even know us, but who were willing to help anyway.

4. Social bias 1. TV reporter - - the question is how can an old man and a boy disappearlike this. The answer had to be that people are helping them out. The

public are very much on their side.

2. Rubys response: People are taking sides about you, arguing about the

rights and wrongs of your case. Thats good. The more people who know

your plight, the better chance of you staying together.


Themes, values and characters...

Write down other themes and find words or evidence to support the themes

Themes Evidence from the excerpts

1. Family and

relationships

There was only Granda and me. Were the two of us enough to make a family?

We still had each other (chap. 12)

He can behave anyway he wants. Hes the best granda in the world. (chap. 12)

Im only here till my granda gets out of hospital.- No grandson of

mine is going to Castle Street. Not when Im alive.
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2. Growing up /

Adolescence

1. My granda never forgot to take his pills; because I made sure he took them.

2. OK, Big Man, I need some help here. I cant do this on my own.

3. Social and

civic

responsibilities

1. People are kind Rory. I thought the whole world was going to the dogs, and then

you meet kindness like this. Its a wonderful world, Rory.

2. A wonderful worldPassing us like the baton in a relay race. People who didnt

even know us, but who were willing to help anyway.

4. Social bias 1. TV reporter - - the question is how can an old man and a boy disappear like this?

The answer had to be that people are helping them out. The public are very much

on their side.

2. Rubys response: People are taking sides about you, arguing about the rights and

wrongs of your case. Thats good. The more people who know your plight, the

better chance of you staying together.

ACTIVITY 10 : Values in life

Values Textual evidence

Family relationships

and bonds must be

appreciated and

maintained.

No Rory, nothings changed. Id rather be here in this cold bus shelter

with you than anywhere else in the world. I want us to stay together as

long as we can. Is that a deal? Its a deal Granda

Communication is an

important feature

among friends and

family members.

I wanted to tell him that I had done this for both of us, so we could be

together, the way we were meant to be. I wanted to tell him that I would

anything so we could be together. Anything. (Chap. 14).

Trust is a vital

component in

bridging generations.


My granda was like a little boy, allowing himself to be led, without a

word, without a question. Safe in the knowledge that I would look after

him.

Those we should You will meet people who will help you. And there will be people you


15/26

trust may sometimes

let us down; those

we do not trust may

sometimes be our

friends in need.

cant trust. Youre looking for something, Rory, and when you find it,

everything changes for you. .And a terrible sadness will come first.

Because of that terrible sadness, Rory, you will find the thing youre

looking for.

ACTIVITY 15 : What a wonderful world

TASK A

Working in a small group, complete the table below:

Character What They Do To Help Why They Help

Darren

1.He helps Rory come with an excuse for Mrs.

Foley as to why Rory had not passed up his

homework.

2.He is a good listener and although he

conveys his mothers messages / opinions

to Rory, he himself is worried about the

burden of responsibility that his dear friend

has to bear.

3. Darren comes up with the solution that

Rory and Granda could escape to his

mothers secluded but comfortable

caravan when Rory knew he had to take his

grandfather away from Rachnadar. Rory

Darren Fisher is Rorys best pal

and genuinely likes Granda too.


16/26

swears Darren to secrecy and in turn the

latter sneaks Rory the spare key of the

caravan.

4.Later, Darren texts Rory to warn him that

the police know where Rory and his

grandfather are and encourages him to run

away.

Sammy

. When Rory and Granda have to leave the first

caravan, and are unable to run away fast becauseof Grandas health, Sammy comes up from

behind to lead them out of the police search. He

practically offers his help, leading them through

the trees and bushes.

.Sammy explains that the police would have got

to Rory and Granda if he and Tyrone had nothelped them instead. They had actually

recognised them o TV and decided that they

would be the ones to help when it was needed.

.Sammy understood Grandas initial mistrust of

them but he was willing to drive the camper van

out of police scrutiny and move on to his

brothers place far south to Dundee.

.At the railway station, Sammy gives Rory his

mobile number and makes Rory promise that he

will call Sammy if he needed anything.

A kind man, he wants to help the

two of them escape the policeand the media.

Annie and Rab

. Rab takes them under his wing when he

sees that Granda is unable to continue

Rab is the petrol station

attendant who recognises them

and wants to help them.


17/26

driving the stolen car and allows them to

stay in his flat.

2.Rab is keen to get a doctor to look into

Grandas health and reassures Rory that he

would turn them in.

. It is Rab who first suggests to Rory that he

should go to Liverpool to meet his father.

4. When the police are looking for the stolen

car, Rab comes up with the idea of driving

to the border and to hand them over to his

girlfriend, Annie who would then take them

closer to Liverpool.

5. Annie later drives them to Normas house.

Annie is Rabs girlfriend.

Norma and

Nicola

1. Norma prepares a great dinner for both of

them. Nicola is adamant that the both of

them have done the correct thing.

2. Norma has agreed to drive them to

Liverpool.

3. Norma actually tells the police when she

realises that Rorys dad has to know of their

whereabouts.

Norma is Annies cousin.

Nicol is Normas daughter.


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Dr Nicol

1. Cares for Granda and provides him with the

necessary pills.

2. Is very concerned about Rory and about

how he has to care for his grandfather at

such a young age.

3. He is fond of both Rory and Granda thinks

they are like a doubleact.

4. Tell Mister McIntosh that he is indeed a

lucky man to have a grandson like Rory

5. He is concerned for both of them and was

going to do his best to get a home help.

Finally, he arranges for Val Jessup a social

worker, to take care of the affairs of Granda

and Rory.

An old family friend and doctor

who cares for Granda and is also

worried for Rory and his

responsibilities.

Val Jessup

1. She is nervous about Rory living alone in the

flat after the fire mishap and so drives him

to the childrens home in Castle Street.

2. She takes Rory to the hospital to see his

grandfather but keeps her worries about

the latters health a secret.

3. Eventually, it is she who tells Rory that the

authorities have moved granda to the old

peoples home and that Rory, being young,

A social worker who, in her

enthusiasm in her first case,

really takes to heart about

Granda and Rory.


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really cannot take the responsibility of

caring for his aged and unwell grandfather.

4. When Rory and his grandfather are on the

run, Val Jessup appears on TV to address

them, appealing for them to get in touch,

stating that the authorities were only

worried abut them and that it was grandas

health that was the main concern.


In your opinion, how is family responsibility portrayed in the

novel Catch Us If You Can?

Introduction

The Importance of Family:

Sacrifices for family are honoured and explored, as are the family bonds that survive adversity.

Body

Family responsibility in the novel is best displayed by Rorys constant care of his grandfather.

Very early in age, Rory has realised that there was only Granda and me to make up a family.Rory does not know any other family love since his father had left them when he was very young. Grandahad taken care of him all his life and now, as Granda is getting old and forgetful, and is never quite well, itis his turn to look after him.

Rory makes sure that Granda takes his pills, and often leaves school on time (sacrificing hisgame of football) to get hot pies for their lunch.

When Granda is sent to Rachnadar, Rory knows that he has to get him away from that place.Though torn with desperation at times ( Grandas carelessness with the chip pan had landed him inhospital and Rory at Castle Street), Rory plans the Great Escape and gets him away from the hospitalwhere they put old people in.
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From now on, Rory is responsible in keeping Granda well and away from public scrutiny.Nevertheless, help comes in the most unexpected manner and it is also Rorys responsibility to acceptthe help offered and to be with his Granda at all times.

As a young care-giver, Rory is bent on keeping his granda free, and away from Rachnadar. Healso ignores others pleas to not take up the responsibility of caring for his grandfather. For Rory, it was

important that he do everything he could for both of them so that they could be together, the way theywere meant to be.

Conclusion

Rory, despite his young age, is also aware that if he does not take care of his Granda, the old man could

be put into a home and what then will happen to Rory? Where would he go? (Dynamics of family

relationships)

Issues of Personal Development in the novel:


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Growing Up/Maturation/discovery of self

Morality to guide ones actions defend what is right

Adult or child relationship

Support of other people

Acceptance of self and others

Respect for authority

Accepting responsibility

edited from source : CDC


Catch Us if you can - Do you think Rory is mature for his age ?Do you think Rory is mature for his age?

Yes he is a mature boy because he is not only very concerned and responsible of his grandfather,

but also knows that he cannot be separated from his Granda. Therefore his plotting and finally the

escape from Rachnadar are both brilliant and touching. Rory remains his grandfathers carer at all

times throughout their adventures and journey.

Phrases from the text that suppor the answer.

1. My granda had taken care of me all my life. Now, when he was getting old and forgetful and was

never quite well, now it was my turn to look after my granda.

2. But if it wasnt my responsibility, then whose was it?

3. I looked up at him and a wave of love swept over me. My granda looked like a little boy, as if he

were my baby brother, relying on me to make things better, just as Id always relied on my granda.

4. Why couldnt people realise that I was all my granda had.and.Granda was all I had too. If they

put Granda into a home.where would I go?

Source : CDC
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catch us if you can - Synopsis, themes and moral valuesSynopsis

Rory and his grandfather, Granda, have looked after each other since Rorys dad walked out on them.Granda is given to lapses in memory (putting Rorys homework down the rubbish chute and the rubbish in

Rorys school bag) and completely irresponsible behaviour (setting fire to his coat at a Parents Evening),

but he has a generous heart and plenty of charm. Rory acts as his carer until there is a fire in the flat and

the authorities decide to separate them. However, Rory is determined that they will stay together and they

embark on an escape but with their faces on every television screen and in every newspaper, this is not

so easy. Their journey is full of surprise betrayals and unexpected friends as they attempt to evade the

authorities and eventually track down the man who walked out on them.

Themes

1. Family and relationships

A journey of love and protection between a grandfather and his grandson.

2. Growing up / Adolescence

Explores key issues that young boys of this age may confront as their characters are shaped by

relationships around them.

3. Bridging the generation gap

A young boys love for his aging grandfather; it shows a young boy realizing that someone he loves

deeply may die.

4. Social and civic responsibilities

How society tries to intervene and help those who they think are unfairly treated or who they

think deserve a better treatment.

5. Social bias

How society is quick to decide what the aged and ailing as well as the young should be treated.
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Catch Us If You Can - Moral values :

1. Family relationships and bonds must be appreciated and maintained.

2. Communication is an important feature among friends and family members.

3. Trust is a vital component in bridging generations.

4. Appearances may not be what they seem.

Source : CDC

at8:35 PM3 comments: Labels:catch us if you can

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Catch Us If You Can - synopsis of the chaptersSynopsis

(Compliments to CCurriculum Development Division, MOE ) Hopefully this will benefit my students..

Rory and his grandfather, Granda, have looked after each other since Rorys dad walked out on them.

Granda is given to lapses in memory (putting Rorys homework down the rubbish chute and the rubbish in

Rorys school bag) and completely irresponsible behaviour (setting fire to his coat at a Parents Evening),

but he has a generous heart and plenty of charm. Rory acts as his carer until there is a fire in the flat and

the authorities decide to separate them. However, Rory is determined that they will stay together and they

embark on an escape but with their faces on every television screen and in every newspaper, this is not

so easy. Their journey is full of surprise betrayals and unexpected friends as they attempt to evade the

authorities and eventually track down the man who walked out on them.

PLOT SUMMARY

Chapter 1

Readers are introduced to Rory and his Granda as they wait for Dr Nicol in the waiting room. The doctor

is concerned that Rory is too young to take care of his grandfather. However, Rory is aware that there are

only two of them in the family.

Chapter 2
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Granda has a failing memory; always misplacing things. Rory has the sole responsibility of taking care of

Granda like buying him his lunch every day.

Chapter 3

Rory sacrifices some of the things he likes for Granda. He gives up football so that he can be at home

with his Granda. Rorys worry is that if Granda is put into Rachnadar, they would be separated. Rorys

dad had left them many years ago and Granda is very disappointed with his son, not wanting to see him

again.

Chapter 4

Granda is very popular with Rorys friends and meets Mrs. Foley for the first time. Granda accidentally

sets fire to his and Mrs. Foleys coats at the schools Parents Night.

Chapter 5

Val Jessup, a social worker is assigned to take care of Granda and Rory. Darrens mum and Mrs. Foley

are both worried for Rory and are glad of the extra help they were going to receive. However, Granda has

a little accident in the flat and is taken to the hospital.

Chapter 6

Granda has suffered from smoke inhalation and has to be hospitalised. Rory pleads to the Big Man to

make Granda wake up. Val Jessup is nervous to let Rory live in the flat alone and drives him to the

childrens home at Castle Street.Chapter 7

Rory goes to the home because he has no choice and he thinks that it will be for only one night till his

granda is out of the hospital. Tess, a young inmate of the home, terrifies Rory with her bad behaviour.

Chapter 8

Granda admits that he had forgotten that the chip pan was on the stove, hence the fire in the flat. He tries

to appease Rory by saying that he would get better soon. However, he is upset that his grandson is in the

Castle Street home.

Chapter 9

Although Rory loves his grandfather, he is slightly annoyed with him as well because of the accident; he

had landed himself in the hospital because of that and now Rory is in a childrens home. Rory goes back

to the flat with Val and collects Grandas medication. There, Rory realises that he wants to return home.

Granda feels the same too.

Chapter 10

Rory is given the idea that Mrs Foley might foster Rory. Rory goes to the hospital to find that Granda is

not there anymore.

Chapter 11

Granda has been shifted to Rachnadar. Val Jessup tells Rory that he is just a boy and that he cannot take

care of Granda anymore.

Chapter 12

Granda is very upset to be sent to the home and it breaks Rorys heart to see him cry. At Castle Street,

Rory fights with Tess. Rory becomes exasperated when Granda retreats further and further into a shell

while at Rachnadar and at school, the idea of being fostered by Mrs Foley worries him. Life is certainly

unpleasant in Castle Street when Tess becomes increasingly uncontrollable. Rory decides that the onlyway is to run away with Granda.

Chapter 13

The Great Escape. Darren offers the use of his moms caravan and Rory plans the escape with great

detail. Granda relies on Rory to get out of Rachnadar.

Chapter 14

Granda is like a little boy, allowing him to be led; safe in the knowledge that Rory would look after him. He

is happy to be in the caravan and decides that he is indeed a lucky man to deserve a boy like Rory. Rory

has done all of this so that they could be together. He realises that he would never let anyone separate


25/26


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in Liverpool. Rab encourages Rory to take his grandfather to his son.

Chapter 28

Rab has a grand idea to make sure that they get to Liverpool. A whole line of people are going to take

them to Rorys dad and Granda comments that the world is indeed wonderful after having experienced so

much kindness.

Chapter 29

Annie drives them into England and leaves them with Norma and Nicola. The latter admires Rory for what

he has done. Granda agrees but his mood changes when he finds out that they are going to his son in

Liverpool.

Chapter 30

Granda refuses to go and for the first time Rory is frustrated. He had hoped that his father would take

over the responsibility of Granda but Granda thinks that it would hurt Rory too much if his father would

leave them again. Rory begins to hate his father and Granda consoles him by saying that they have never

needed him and that they do not need him now. Nicola rings up to tell Rory that the police are coming and

that they would have to move on.

Chapter 31

It is the second escape; both of them run out into the dark. Granda is tired and they both stop to rest and

eventually sleep off at a stone bus shelter. Prior to that Granda says that if he was to die, he would as ahappy man. On awakening, Rory is not able to awaken his grandfather and is afraid that he may be dead.

Chapter 32

Rory runs for help and remembers Rubys prophecy about the terrible sadness. Help comes immediately

and the police introduce him to his father.

Chapter 33

Granda is not dead. He is hospitalised and recovers eventually. Rory is reunited with his dad and his

family. He has two little sisters who endear themselves to Granda. His dad asks to be given another

chance to prove that he can be a good dad and a good son again. Rory has found what he was looking

for and realises that if anything happens to his Granda he will not be alone again. He is thankful to all who

have helped them on their journey. He is very happy that he, Granda and his family are together again.

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Documents

Some Important Evidence From the Text