Overview and Outcomes:

This is a three-week Writing Root for How to Live Forever by Colin Thompson.  Children begin by considering the pros and cons of living forever and whether this could in fact be dangerous.  They go on to explore the thoughts of the main character as he ponders whether to search for the book with the secret to eternal life and write a scene of dialogue between him and the four old men.  Children will continue to investigate the themes and ideas set out in the book, writing setting and character descriptions, a lost poster and a set of instructions for how to live forever.  The sequence of learning finishes with children writing a prequel to the main story where all previous learning is pulled together.   

Synopsis of Text:

Colin Thompson's books are mystical and complex, they will appeal to children and adults alike and demand to be returned to as there is always a new image to see, something more to catch the eye. Peter and his family live among the Quinces in the cookery section of a mystical library, and at night, when the library comes to life, Peter ventures out of his home to find a missing volume: How To Live Forever.

Text Rationale:

This is a thought-provoking story told as much through the illustrations as the text on the page.  Children will use deep levels of inference and draw upon critical thinking skills to discuss the story in detail.  Touching on themes of keeping secrets, facing dilemmas and doing the right thing, links could be made with historical contexts or PSHE.  

Links and themes:

Libraries, library, Ancient China, dilemmas, decisions, right vs. wrong

Date written: August 2015             Updated: April 2023