Activity: Black Snake Book Review

Your Task:  To  review  CBC nominated book "Black Snake" by Carole Wilkinson.

Read the book: Black Snake by Carole Wilkinson is a non fiction book  for young readers about the life of Ned Kelly. It has been nominated in 2003 by the Childrens' Book Council for the Eve Pownall award for information books. 

Read the book as a class or read it yourself.

Read a review

• Read Sally Murphy's review of Black Snake.
• Read the short review at Bella's books for young readers.
• Read the Black Snake review at Bailup.com.
• Read the author profile on Carole Wilkinson at the Courier Mail site.

Review activities

• List some biographical details on Carole Wilkinson, and name some of the other books she has written.
• Find a passage describing Ned as a young boy and write it down. Underline the adjectives and adverbs used to describe him.
• Character analysis. Find a quote from Ned or a letter he wrote. Explain how what he says reveals the sort of person he was. 
• Who were the people in Ned's family. Draw a family tree for Ned with the names of his parents, and brothers and sisters.
• State three opinions about the book.... things you liked or disliked, giving your reasons.

Curriculum Content:

Social Studies. Australian History

Genre: Review

Age Level:

Ages 10-14

Preparation:

The students need to have read the book "Black Snake" available from most booksellers and bookshops as it is a CBC nominated book in 2003. The school library should also have at least one copy of this book.

Teaching on the elements/structure of book reviews is also important. 

Skills:

Reading and viewing - non fiction.

Writing. Reviewing.