SuitabookGoggle Eyes
Anne Fine
- Reading
- Read alongside the child rather than treating the family or political conflict as a simple right-versus-wrong lesson. Pause after Kitty describes Gerald’s behaviour, then revisit whether later events alter the meaning of earlier reactions.
- Themes
- Family change and first impressions: Kitty initially loathes her mother’s boyfriend, then notices qualities and actions that complicate that response; her younger sister adores him. The situation is portrayed with humour and perceptiveness rather than as a wholly simple conflict: Kitty’s objections remain part of the picture, while Gerald is given sympathetic, useful and flawed qualities.
- Political disagreement: Gerald disagrees with Kitty’s mother’s anti-nuclear activism, while Kitty becomes involved in understanding the disagreement and a demonstration. The book presents competing or mixed signals about this.
- Supporting someone in distress: A teacher prompts Kitty to comfort Helen, who is distressed about her mother’s prospective marriage; the two talk in a school cupboard. The framing device gives emotional support a practical role: Kitty shares a relevant experience with someone who is not initially a close friend.
- Worth knowing
- Family separation, a parent’s new partner, a distressed schoolmate and conflict over anti-nuclear activism may merit attention.