Task one: Blurb for The Boy on Top of the Mountain
Imagine being sent away from your own home, travelling by train for hundreds of miles. You are only seven and you are alone in a changing world…
Pierrot doesn’t know anything of the war or the Nazis when he is sent away to live with his Aunt at the top of a mountain in Germany.
World War 2 has just broken out and little does Pierrot know, but he is living in the same house as the man who started it.
Pierrot is sucked into Hitler’s spell where he lives in awe of the horrible man for years to come.
Little by little Hitler draws Perrot away from his life in Paris and turns him into a junior Nazi.
Task 2: From the Character’s point of View
Here is a piece of writing from Beatrix’s point of view. The Boy on Top of the Mountain. Page 152.
I tried as hard as I could to steady my shaking hands.
“The first slice for the Fuhrer”, I said. My voice came out in a trembling squeak, not at all the calm and collected voice I had planned in my mind.
“Yes of course”, replied Ernst calmly and brightly. “You must tell us if it is as good as it looks.
I bite the inside of my cheek, trying to steady my shaking body. Praying that our plan would be successful but I couldn’t help having some doubts.
“Sadly I don’t think I can eat another thing,” declared Hitler. “I’m ready to burst as it is!”
I swallow hard.
“Oh but you must mein Fuhrer!” cried Ernst immediately. “I’m sorry”, said Ernst, a slight tremor in his voice as he noticed everyone’s surprise at his enthusiasm. “I only meant that you must reward yourself. You have done so much for us this year. One slice please. To celebrate the festive season. And afterwards we can all enjoy some.”
I am astounded at Ernst’s confidence and mock enthusiasm. I could never say all those lies so easily.
Emma cut a generous portion, put it on a plate with a small fork before handing it across, and Fuhrer looked at it for a moment uncertainly before laughing and accepting.
Everything was going to plan.
“Of course you’re right,”he said. “It’s not Christmas without stollen”. He used the side of his fork to cut a section of the cake and bought it to his lips.
I stole a glance at Ernst, he winked and smiled before returning his face to neutral.
“Wait!”cried Pierott, jumping forward. “Stop!”
And I knew all hope was lost of poisoning Hitler.
Task 3, A News Report About the Setting of The Boy on Top of the Mountain, 2017
Guten abend, I’m Hannah Muller bringing you the latest German news. Around a remote mountain range near Munich, there’s a place called Obersalzberg, which is a small village set into the base of the mountains.
On one particularly high mountain, in the centre of the range, there is a grand mansion which was once the home of the powerful Adolf Hitler, who lived there in the 1930 and 40s. Herr Hitler employed a very large host of staff, but when some of them discovered the unspeakable things that he did and wanted to stop them, he had them murdered in his backyard by his soldiers.
Towards the end of World War 2, Hitler’s mansion was overtaken by British while searching for Hitler, who had long since escaped.
The mansion remains to this day in disrepair but plans have been made to turn it into a tourist destination.
From Berlin, I’m Hannah Muller, thank you and gute nacht.
(This paragraph is untrue.)
Link to a Slide About the Theme of The Boy on Top of the Mountain
Questions for the Author, John Boyne
- What motivated you to write The Boy on Top of the Mountain?
- Did you base the characters on anyone real?
- Why did you choose to set the Boy on Top of the Mountain in the war?
- What was the biggest piece of editing you had to do before publishing your book?
- Who is your favourite character?
No comments:
Post a Comment