WALKER BOOKS E Discussion Notes

WA L K E R B O O K S E
Discussion Notes
From the best-selling and award-winning author of
The Tomorrow Code and Brainjack.
“... a cracker of a tale – very now, very slick and very
compelling ...” MAGPIES on Brainjack
“Packed with action and sci-fi, this is fantastic and orginal
fiction.” MANIA MAGAZINE on The Tomorrow Code
Discussion Questions:
•
View the quotes from Leonardo da Vinci at the beginning of
each section. Who was Leonardo da Vinci? As you read the
sections of the book, think about the quotes and why they
are appropriate to use for the openings.
•
What do you think might be “the most boring book in the
world”? Have a discussion about books you have read that
you think are boring. Are there any books that you have
read that start off slow and then get more exciting? Do your
own Google research to find out what other people think
“the most boring book in the world” is.
•
What is the Vitruvian Man? Research this image and its
significance. What are some other images/inventions of
Leonardo da Vinci?
•
What processes are involved to create a book? Research
book making. What is the role of the author, editor, book
designer, printer and publisher?
•
Age Range:
11+yrs
Images of writing are included in this book. Who wrote these
pages? What was significant about the way this person
wrote?
•
Genre:
Speculative Fiction
Action/Adventure
Have a discussion about what different types of books there
are. What types of books provide what types of information?
Create a list.
•
The author has used historical facts to create a fictional
story. Which parts of this story are based on fact and which
are purely fiction? As you read the book mark these down.
Do you know of any other stories that are based on historical
fact? Search your school library and create a list of these.
•
Read Chapter 1 of “Leonardo’s River”. How long does it
take for the author to describe clouds? Mimicking this text,
write your own description of something. Can you write a
description just as long?
•
What different countries are referred to in The Project?
Where are these countries located? What were their roles in
WWII?
•
What is steganography? Research and discuss other forms
of codes and messages. How have these been used
throughout history?
•
Pretend that you are a reporter and you have just heard
about the discovery of Leonardo da Vinci’s time machine.
Write an article about this and discuss how you think it could
change the world you live in. What are the possible dangers
that it could pose?
•
Research the world in 1944. What was it like? What
technology did they not have, that we have now? What
type of clothing and transport did they have? How did the
war affect food and livelihood?
•
How could this book be described as circular? Discuss the
ending of this book and how it makes you feel.
Synopsis
The Project
Learning Areas:
By Brian Falkner
ISBN: 9781921529795
ARRP: $18.95
NZRRP: $19.99
No. of Pages: 352
English
Philosophy
Writing
Language
History
Art
Themes:
Literature
Time travel
WWII
Nazi Germany
Leonardo da Vinci
Mystery
Technology
Questions for:
Middle Years
His life could change the world. His death could
save it.
It all started with a book. The most boring book in
the world! So boring that nobody would ever read it.
The perfect place to hide a terrible secret. But now
the book has emerged from its hiding place and the
world may never be the same.
Author Focus
Brian Falkner was born and raised in Auckland. He
is the award-winning, best-selling author of several
novels for children and young adults, including,
The Flea Thing, The Real Thing and The Super Freak.
His action adventure sci-fi novels, The Tomorrow
Code and Brainjack were both short-listed for
many awards, including the New Zealand Post
Book Awards for Children & Young Adults, with
Brainjack winning the Children’s Choice Award
(Young Adult Fiction category). Both these novels
have also been published in the USA and Germany.
For more information please visit Brian’s website:
www.brianfalkner.com
www.walkerbooks.com.au
© 2010 Walker Books Australia
All Rights Reserved
WA L K E R B O O K S E
Praise for Brainjack
Discussion Notes
Praise for The Tomorrow Code
Brainjack
The Tomorrow
Code
By: Brian Falkner
ISBN: 9781921150951
ARRP: $18.95
NZRRP: $21.99
No. of Pages: 448
September 2009
WINNER – 2010 NEW ZEALAND POST CHILDREN’S BOOK
AWARDS, CHILDREN’S CHOICE – YOUNG ADULT FICTION
CATEGORY
FINALIST IN THE 2010 NEW ZEALAND POST CHILDREN’S
BOOK AWARDS – YOUNG ADULT FICTION CATEGORY
FINALIST IN THE 2010 LIANZA YOUNG ADULT FICTION
AWARD
WINNER OF THE 2010 SIR JULIUS VOGEL AWARD
– BEST YOUNG ADULT NOVEL
2010 STORYLINES NOTABLE BOOK
– YOUNG ADULT FICTION
•
“… a cracker of a tale – very now, very slick and very
compelling …” MAGPIES
•
“Concentrate on this book and the rewards will be
great … Falkner has command of his material and
nothing feels forced or clunky in this clever story.” JILL
ROWBOTHAM, THE WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN
•
“… a fast-paced action novel …” BOOKSELLER AND
PUBLISHER
•
“… projected innovations in cyber technology are
totally convincing. A great read. Recommended for
ages 12+” READING TIME
•
“… Brainjack is a book to recommend …” CMIS
EVALUATION
•
“… absolutely un-put-downable …” TAILSPINNER NZ
www.walkerbooks.com.au
By: Brian Falkner
ISBN: 9781921150340
ARRP: $18.95
NZRRP: $21.99
No. of Pages: 432
October 2008
FINALIST IN THE 2009 NEW ZEALAND POST CHILDREN’S
BOOK AWARDS – YOUNG ADULT FICTION CATEGORY
FINALIST IN THE 2009 LIANZA ESTHER GLEN AWARD
2009 STORYLINES NOTABLE BOOK – YOUNG ADULT FICTION
•
“… an exciting, complex, high-energy read, with a
fast-paced plot that makes it hard to put down …”
Judges’ report, New Zealand Post Book Awards
•
“… clever sci-fi for 12 to 16 year olds. It is fast-paced
and exciting …” Joy Lawn, Bookseller and
Publisher
•
“… a tautly constructed plot … fast-paced and
all-too-realistic … this technothriller offers gearhead
ecowarriors everything, including a hugely satisfying
ending …” Kirkus Reviews
•
“Packed with action and sci-fi, this is fantastic and
original fiction.” Mania Magazine
•
“… a fine example of the young adult disaster
genre …” Viewpoint
•
“…. Brian Falkner’s main characters and the rapid
pace makes it [The Tomorrow Code] an enjoyable
action-thriller.” The Sunday Age
© 2010 Walker Books Australia
All Rights Reserved