Carrie's War Activity Sheet
Chatterbooks in Lockdown
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Hopefully you enjoyed the book.
But how well did you read it? See if you answer these questions:
Request a copy of Carrie's War using Arena the online library catalogue.
- What happened (and why) to Carrie and Nick Willow at the start of World War 2?
- Name the two people who took in Carrie and Nick?
- What did Nick steal and what was his punishment?
- The first trip to Druid’s Bottom was an important point in the story. Why did they go, who did they meet and what was good and bad about the trip?
- What was Mrs Gotobed wearing when Carrie first met her?
- What was Mr Evans’s attitude towards Hepzibah?
- Who visits Auntie Lou? How do you know that she liked him?
- Who is Frederick? Is he a nice character?
- How did Carrie know that Mrs Gotobed’s death was imminent (going to happen soon)?
- What can’t Albert Sandwich find after Mrs Gotobed’s death? What does he conclude has happened to it?
- Why do Carrie and Nick eventually leave Wales?
- Where has Auntie Lou gone on their last day?
- What does Carrie see as the train leaves? Why does she think it is her fault?
- Who do Carrie’s children find when they return to Wales at the end of the book)?
- There are some very strong characters in this book. Which ones did you like? Dislike? Did your feelings towards any of them change as you learnt more about them?
Carrie's War vs Goodnight Mister Tom
You may have read “Goodnight Mister Tom” by Michelle Magorian, which like “Carrie’s War” is set in World War 2 and shares many similar themes.
What similarities and differences can you think of between the 2 stories and the characters in them?
Which book did you prefer and why?
Relocation Priorities
“Not much of a place is it...Just that it’s not big enough to have a good public library” – said by another evacuee, Albert Sandwich (p17)
If you were moving to a new location, for whatever reason, what places would you like to find when you got there? (think of your hobbies and leisure activities)
Similies
A simile is a phrase that uses a comparison to describe something, usually using the words “like” and “as”. For example, Mrs Gotobed’s voice is described as sounding “strong as a bell”
and regarding her jewellery, her “jewels winked up, like bright eyes”.
Can you create some more similes of you own to describe Carrie’s different emotions in the story – such as anger, worry, sadness and excitement.
Create a Ballgown
Mrs Gotobed is wearing a ballgown when Carrie meets her for the first time and she tells Carrie she owns 29 – one for every year of her marriage.
Try designing a new ballgown for Mrs Gotobed. Include details such as colour, fabric and decorations. Be as adventurous as you can with vocabulary, especially with colour
(eg. Not just “blue” but “peacock blue” or “cornflower blue”.) Perhaps on a separate piece of paper, you could do a sketch of your design, labelling style features,
like type of neckline, style of sleeves, hem etc. and show us at the meeting.
Creative Writing - Start Your Own Story
Although this is not the opening paragraph of “Carrie’s War”, I think this sentence on page 10 would make an excellent beginning to a story...
“I did a dreadful thing, the worst thing in my life, when I was twelve and a half years old, or I feel that I did, and nothing can change it...”
If you are feeling creative, maybe you could have a go at writing a story of your own with this opening line.
- What happened (and why) to Carrie and Nick Willow at the start of World War 2? They were evacuated to a mining village in Wales. Discuss evacuation – how, why, where
- Name the two people who took in Carrie and Nick? Village grocer, Mr Evans, a strict religious man and his sister, Auntie Lou – kind and gentle. Discuss life there. Mr Evans was a bully but his “bark was worse than his bite”
- What did Nick steal and what was his punishment? A biscuit – he got Mr Evan’s belt and his prayers
- The first trip to Druid’s Bottom was an important point in the story. Why did they go, who did they meet and what was good and bad about the trip? Old house – Druids bottom. Went to pick up goose and Mr Evans wanted Carrie to spy for him. Met Hepzibah Green, Mister Johnny. Discuss background to the house. Kind Hepzibah – lovely food, scared of Johnny at first. Also witches, skull, curses
- What was Mrs Gotobed wearing when Carrie first met her? A red silk ball gown – bought by her husband in Paris – had 29, one for every year of her marriage. Wanted to wear them before she died.
- What was Mr Evans’s attitude towards Hepzibah? Thinks she is denying him of his rights – wants to get her hands on house and Mrs Gotobed’s money.
- Who visits Auntie Lou? How do you know that she liked him? Major Cass Harper, an American soldier. She likes him a lot – lipstick, new clothes, singing
- Who is Frederick? Is he a nice character? Mr Evan’s so. Very unpleasant. Teases mister Johnny.
- How did Carrie know that Mrs Gotobed’s death was imminent (going to happen soon)? She was wearing her pale grey silk gown, the one she said she would save till last.
- What can’t Albert Sandwich find after Mrs Gotobed’s death? What does he conclude has happened to it? The will. Thinks Mr Evan’s has taken it to stop Hepzibah having any say on the house.
- Why do Carrie and Nick eventually leave Wales? Mum has moved to Glasgow and sends for them. mixed feelings about leaving.
- Where has Auntie Lou gone on their last day? Gone off to marry Major Harper
- What does Carrie see as the train leaves? Why does she think it is her fault? Druids Bottom is on fire. Thinks its her fault for throwing the skull in the pond.
- Who do Carrie’s children find when they return to Wales at the end of the book)? Hepzibah and Johnny – Albert had rebuilt the house for them to live in and visited them regularly
- There are some very strong characters in this book. Which ones did you like? Dislike? Did your feelings towards any of them change as you learnt more about them?
Page last updated: 1st March 2021