Divided City

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This isn't a preachy novel, but if there is a message it's this: if we want to understand one another, perhaps the best way is through the young. The city, Glasgow, is what might one day unite the two sides, and enable them also to include the newcomers, the asylum seekers who have been added to the mix. A football team whose players include supporters of both the Greens and the Blues has got to be a good idea. Not Celtic or Rangers but Glasgow City. At that moment noise and shouting erupted behind him, and Graham knew right away that he was in trouble. Do we offer our learners the opportunity to explore their own life experiences in relation to sectarianism? Graham’s Granda Reid is a proud Orangeman who wants Graham to march in the big Orange Walk which is coming up. Graham’s parents have always resisted pressure to make him take part when he was younger saying he should make his own mind up when he is old enough. However, this is the year he must do so. Joe’s family members are equally committed to upholding their Catholic traditions. At first, I thought that Graham's character was too common, but then I realized that if it wasn't, Graham's evolution wouldn't seem so broad. However, I still think that such a marvelous book deserves better final. It is too simple and predictable. To my mind, it is so because this book is written for teenagers and in the end everybody should be happy.

DIVIDED CITY by Theresa Breslin | Goodreads DIVIDED CITY by Theresa Breslin | Goodreads

But this is where Divided City is too diagrammatic. Nearly every domestic conversation in the book centres on sectarianism and how the “others” mistreat “our” side. The main characters are young boys called Graham, a Protestant supporting Rangers. Joe, a Catholic supporting Celtic, and a young asylum seeker named Kyoul. How does this work link with the range of protected characteristics that are defined by the Equality Act (2010)? A wonderfuly successful stage version of DIVIDED CITY took place in May 2011 and January 2012 in sell-out shows. The production was a joint Youth Music Initiative project created and funded by The Citizens Theatre, At the end of Reglan Street nearest the playing fields, huge shadows danced. The outline of the hunters – distorted and elongated against the bright floodlights used for night games on the football pitches. Graham saw them gather together, become one monstrous creature, then break apart. Their twisted shapes thrown out ahead of them as they came. Seeking. Searching.I cannot dislike the book, which keeps so precise and true descriptions and thoughts about my favourite game - football. The dialogs about it are brilliand, because they are very logical and they are written very competent, even though the author is a woman. It doesn`t prevent me from comprehension, that one of the tasks of penetration of this theme into the book is to make it attractive for such readers-fans as I and to focus through the football theme on other themes, opened in this book. From either side the dark openings of the tenement building mawed at him. It was the beginning of May and fairly light at this time in the evening. But even so . . . Graham glanced around. The sky was densely overcast and shadows were gathering. He shouldn’t have lingered so long after football training. Graham pressed himself against the door, glad of his skinny frame. The remainder of the gang came down the street, veering onto the pavement as they spotted him.

Divided City - Theresa Breslin Divided City - Theresa Breslin

Carnivore Ecology and Conservation: A Handbook of Techniques (Techniques in Ecology & Conservation) Nevertheless, I was so deeply impressed by this book, because it was written brilliantly. Of course, I admired the football match descriptions and the teenagers' dreams of them playing in the World Cup final. Of course, I was nearly interested in asylum seekers problem, because this is urgent problem nowadays. I mostly liked this book. It describes the story of two boys, who belong to different religions. Also they support different football teams. Devided city is a really nice book and the book is easy to read. the book is really likable if you like footbal and when you like the Scottish competition. I knew a lot of the Scottisch competition before is started to read this book, but when I started to read this book I realized how many hate their was between the supporters. before you start to read this book I advise to read something about the Old Firm, when you know something about the Old Firm it will help you to understand the book. the most importent thing about this book is the friendship between the two guys despite they are for two differents football clubs. Graham’s legs stopped working. He was too far from the main road. Too far to run. This gang would catch him easily.

There are six workshops which could each take from 1 to 1.5 hours. Learning can be linked across curricular areas particularly literacy and literacy across learning; health and wellbeing; RME; social studies; and expressive arts.

Divided City by Theresa Breslin Teaching Notes on Divided City by Theresa Breslin

The thing that amazed me most is plenty and diversity of motifs, touched in this book, based on religious division. The definitions between Catholics and Protestants are considered in many spheres of the life, from the football tastes up to demonstrations and city sights. Essence of Glasgow is what this book is about. The cover speaks eloquently of the division in the city - Protestants on one side, Catholics on the other. It is a difference that spreads out from religious belief to take in every aspect of life: school, work, and most especially football. The Celtic/Rangers matches and the Orange marches highlight this gulf, and Breslin has cleverly and economically built her more intimate story of two friends around these more public events. The six workshops cover an exploration of discrimination, the history of sectarianism and the impact of sectarianism on friendships and on individuals. Granted the dilemma of an asylum seeker from a ‘White List’ country, deemed to be safe but which isn’t, may need elucidating to a wider audience, yet while the novel is even-handed enough as between Protestant and Catholic viewpoints I struggled to see for what audience this could have been written, whom it was intended to educate. The book’s cover is emblazoned with the phrase “Carnegie Medal winning author” implying it’s for young adults. But young adults in Glasgow will know about sectarianism, those elsewhere likely not care (Northern Ireland excepted.) The incidental illustration of the usual parental restrictions on adolescent comings and goings do not expand the scope. Divided City’s earlier chapters reminded me of a certain kind of not very good Science Fiction which doesn’t trust its reader to make the connections, so too much is spelled out. And there is an overuse of exclamation marks. I would submit that YA readers deserve better.

How far as a school community do we challenge bigotry, prejudice and discrimination towards members, or presumed members, of a religious denomination? Best of all are Joe and Graham. We like them both. We understand their dreams of footballing glory, and admire the way they negotiate a complicated minefield of prejudice and misunderstanding. One of the gang ran past Graham, shoving him roughly aside. His face shone with sweat and excitement.

Divided City by Theresa Breslin | WHSmith

This resource has been created by the Citizens Theatre and is designed to be used in conjunction with a novel study of Divided City by Theresa Breslin (ISBN 978-0-552-55188-5). However, it can also be delivered by reading excerpts from the novel. It seems that one has to treat another just like another stranger and best be on his way out. Atmosphere in which live each of them should have big influence on them. But, they become good friends, although they have different world outlook, they believe in different things, support different teams. Breslin’s book is broad-minded and bold in the way it refuses to dodge the issues while at the same time trying to give as balanced a view as a writer can of the prejudice that divides friends, families and neighbours. Breslin’s book will grab a few headlines, and if it gets people thinking, especially young people, but just as importantly, adults, then it’s done some good. The fact that it’s also a great wee story is a bonus. Ultimately, these activities are designed to encourage young people to form their own points of view and feel able to respectfully challenge those with whom they disagree. If he began to run the gang of boys would think he was running from them – might mistake him for the one they were after. His heart was hammering. He didn’t want involved in this.Graham’s eyes widened in terror. He couldn’t speak, couldn’t take his gaze from the knife. The boy raised his knife. ‘Speak, ya wee—’ This works because she creates characters we both believe in and like. From Kathleen, Joe's hairdressing auntie, to Mr Sinclair, who becomes more and more important to the boys, to Jammy, an unpredictable cousin with a violent streak - everyone is a rounded individual. the main characters (Joe and Graham) are two young boys who love football. they both play football and they are the two best football players of the team.