Ｎｏｖｅｌ Ｂ．Ｉ ＳＰＭ ２０１３

Elements of the Novel

Themes Characters
 Challenges of growing up and coping with responsibility
 Love, compassion and family relationships
 Social responsibilities and public awareness.
 Power and authority.
 Generation gap
 Social bias

Main characters
 Rory McIntosh
 Granda McIntosh
 Darren

Minor characters
 Val Jessup
 Mr Foley, Dr Nicol
 Darren’s mum, Tony, Tess
 Sammy, Tyrone and Ruby
 Bernie, his wife, and daughter Zara
 Rab, Annie, Norma, Nicola
 Jeff McIntosh
 The mad bunch of the Castle Street Children’s home.

Moral values Message
 Love and care of family
 Compassion and kindness
 Responsibility
 Religious piety
 Not to be judgmental
 Maintaining family relationships
 Trust
 Appearance may be deceiving
 In is important to love, care for and protect family members.
 Respect and concern for others and their rights is important.
 Community and social workers need to be sensitive and caring.
 Faith in the Almighty is essential.
 Prejudices in society must be corrected.

Synopsis Sinopsis
Catch Us If You Can is a heart-warming story of love between Rory and his grandfather. On another level, it is a story of adventure and escape. Granda is dependent on his grandson, Rory, because he is forgetful and often misplaces things. Rory is very good to his Granda and does everything possible to make him comfortable. One day, Granda sets the flat on fire. Soon after, Rory is taken into foster care and his Granda is sent to care home. Rory hates being away from Granda and think of escape plan. Their attempt to escape is not easy as their pictures are in the newspapers and aired on television. Their journey is full of unexpected twists and turns and a number of people help the young boy and his ailing grandfather.

How is the theme love shown in the novel you have read? Support you answer with close reference to the text. How is the theme love shown Paragraph
I have read the novel ‘Catch Us If You Can’, written by Catherine MacPhail. It is an interesting novel. One of the main themes of the novel is love.
Introduction
First and foremost, Granda has been taking care of Rory ever since his mother passed away and his father walked out of their life.Granda sees the needs of Rory in schooling and goes to see the
class teacher whenever being called. (Evidence + Example)
On top of that, Darren gives the key of his mom’s caravan to Rory in the Great Escape. Tyrone agrees with her mother Ruby to help Rory and Granda in their journey because he could empathise with Rory and his Granda. (Evidence + Example)
Apart from that, Rab gives shelter to Rory and Granda knowing that they are in trouble. Norma and her daughter, Nicola allow Rory and Granda to stay overnight at their house. (Evidence + Example)
To sum up, the theme love is shown between the main character, Rory and the people surrounding him that is his grandfather, his best friend, Darren and the new friends like Tyrone and his family, Rab and friends. It is true that ‘Love does not count’’and ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed!’.
Conclusion
In the novel that you have studied, which characters do you like most?
Which characters do you like most Paragraph
I have read the novel ‘Catch Us If You Can’, written by Catherine MacPhail. I like Rory the most as compared to other characters.

Introduction
First of all, he is a young boy who is very attached to his aging grandfather, Granda. His dedication in taking care of Granda impresses me as it shows that he is a caring and mature boy for his age. (Evidence + Example)
Besides, his courage and determination to remain united and close to his Granda even when faced with desperate situations is endearing. This is especially clear when Granda was admitted to the old folks’ home at Rachnadar and Rory became very upset. (Evidence + Example)
This shows that he is a caring person. Another trait that makes me like Rory even more is helpless and clueless in dealing with the simplest of situations. Rory’s sacrifice and commitment towards his
grandfather really makes him my favourite character of the novel. (Evidence + Example)
To sum, it is clear that I like Rory best because of his positive values, strength and determination.
Conclusion

Write about a character you sympathize with/admire. Give reasons for your choice.
A character you sympathize with/admire Paragraph
From the novel ‘Catch Us If You Can’, written by Catherine MacPhail, the character I sympathize with/admire is Rory. There are many reasons why I choose him.

Introduction
The first reason I choose Rory is because he was a loving grandson. Ever since his grandfather had not been well, Rory took care of almost everything. He would make sure that Granda took his medicine every day. He would also buy food for Granda during his school lunch break. To Rory, Granda was everything and he loved his grandfather very much because after his mother died, Granda was the only person who brought him up. (Evidence + Example)
Another reason is because Rory was a brave boy and acted like a savior to his grandfather. First, when he knew that his grandfather would not last long at Rachnadar, the resting home, he planned an escape for both of them. He ran away from the orphanage in Castle Street and saved his grandfather from Rachnadar. This
shows that Rory is brave and cared very much of his grandfather. (Evidence + Example)
In addition, Rory is also a high risk taker because he ran away with an old and sick grandfather. His plan almost cost him his grandfather’s life when at one point, his grandfather collapsed and fainted while they were escaping from a house of Rab’s friend,Norma. He received the news from Nicola, Norma’s daughter that her mother had gone to the police to report their where about. Therefore, Rory and Granda ran away again. He planned to take his grandfather to Liverpool with an intention to reunite with his long lost father. (Evidence + Example)
Based on the reasons and evidence from the novel, I really sympathize with/admire Rory. From the beginning until the end of the story, he had to face so many problems. However, in the end he managed to save both himself and his beloved Granda. He was also united with his own father and his family.
Conclusion

Describe what happens at the end of the novel. Explain how you find the ending of the story. Support your answer with close reference to the text. what happens at the end of the novel (Plot) Paragraph
Based on the novel that I have studied, Catch Us if You Can by Catherine MacPhail, at the end of this novel, Rory had a great shock in his life when he thought that his grandfather was dead before he at last met his biological father and together with his grandfather, they both reconciled with Jeff McIntosh, Rory’s father, his stepmother and his two sisters. Rory then had a happy time with his new found family.

Introduction
When Granda fainted at the bus shelter while on their run, Rory ran away to get help, leaving Granda at the shelter. He received a help from a stranger who recognised him from the news on the television. He and his grandfather were taken to the hospital but on their way, a man whom Rory thought a policeman in plain clothes sat beside him in the patrol car and he later found out that the man was his father. (Evidence + Example)
Rory spent the next few days with his new found family while at times visiting his grandfather who was recovering at the hospital. His father’s wife, Karen was kind as she came and asked Rory to go and stay with them while Granda was hospitalised. He also found out that he got two little sisters, Ronda 5, and Ava, 3. Granda loved the granddaughters soon as he saw them even though he was still mad at his son. (Evidence + Example)
Rory’s dad was an apologetic man. He asked for forgiveness from Rory and Granda every now and then. He was sorry about leaving his son away with his father because he could not accept the insults from his father. He asked Rory to give him a chance to be a good father and a good son to his ailing father. They were given a flat and helps came around every day which made him wonder why not before? But he realized that he had found what he had looking for. (Evidence + Example)
In conclusion, I find that the ending of the novel is a joyful one.
This is because Rory had found what he had been looking for, a family of his own and a comfortable life for his grandfather. It is very convenient to find that Rory could forgive everyone who had caused him pain and fear of losing hope. I am also happy to cherish the friendships that Rory had built with the people he met along his journey: Ruby, Sammy and Tyrone; Norma, Nicola, Annie, Rab; not forgetting his ever good buddy, Darren.
Conclusion


Choose an event in the novel you have studied which you find to be the most memorable. Give reasons for your choice and with close reference to the text, discuss the event. An event in the novel you have studied which you find to be the most memorable.
Paragraph
The novel I have studied is Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail and I find the most memorable event is when Rory and his Granda had to go away from Darren’s mother’s caravan after Darren sent him a message telling him that the authority had known where Rory and his Granda were.

Introduction
It is a memorable event because from there Rory and Granda started to have more interesting adventures. For instance, Rory had to urge his grandfather to move faster and in doing so, he could see it was very funny because Granda was trying hard not to show his panic. Granda was also forgetting his shoes which Rory had to shove the shoes to his feet while wrapping his coat and scarf around him and also buttoning his jacket as well. Rory had also not forgotten his grandfather’s things including the food and warm clothes. (Evidence + Example)
The event is also memorable because Rory and Granda were always alert for the authority not to get them. He was careful not to let his grandfather lose the way by taking and pulling his grandfather’s hand at him. He also flung his hand phone into the bushes because it would be useless to him since the phone had run out of battery and there was no way for him to charge it. (Evidence + Example)
It is a memorable event because from there Rory and Granda met more kindhearted people who jumped in to give them a helping hand. For instance, the man and his son, Sammy and Tyrone whom
Rory and Granda met at the loch while they were fishing the other day helped them by giving them a ride in their caravan to get away from the camp site which was full of police and their search party. Sammy’s
wife Ruby gave Rory and Granda food and drinks in the journey. This also tells us that not all strangers that we meet are bad people or unkind. We should learn to respect people in order for people to respect us. (Evidence + Example)
In conclusion, the most memorable event from this novel is the part when Rory and Granda got away from the caravan because this has caused them to face more interesting adventures and encountered with some kind-hearted people like Sammy, Ruby and Tyrone.
Conclusion

Choose a message that you obtained from the novel that you have read and say what you have learned from it. A message that you obtained from the novel Paragraph
In Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhai, one important message the author conveys is that we must show respect and concern for others and uphold their rights.

Introduction
We are told that people like Granda need special care and attention. Rory remembers that the good days when his Granda madetoffee apples for him, put up Christmas trees and carried him on his　shoulders at footfall matches. He remembers Grand’s better moments　and therefore wants to care for him now. Rory hides Granda’s　smoking pipe and drills him on how to behave at Parents’ Night. Rory　treats his Granda with respect all the time and even when he teases　Granda, it is done in a kind and humorous manner.　（Evidence +　Example）
The authorities think that Granda should be put away in an old　folks’ home but both Rory and Granda think that is not right. Granda is　unhappy about it and does not want to be separated from Rory. I think
the elderly should have their wishes respected and be cared for at the　same time. They must have proper home help, meals and medical　care. They have done much for us before. Now it should be our turn
to do good for them. Let them live their remaining days in pride and　dignity.　Evidence +　Example）
Children need to be given the right care and attention too.　When they become carers, it is harder for them to enjoy the childhood　they are entitled to, go to school and get the right education. So it is　important that they get the use of proper services from the authorities.　They emotional needs too must be addressed.　（Evidence +　Example）
People who are different from us must be treated with respect.　Take the travelers for example. People look down upon them, but　they have their rights too and need to be treated with respect and　dignity. This is an important message that is most relevant in today’s　world.
Conclusion

What is the important moral value you have learned in the novel of your choice? Give　evidence from the novel to support your answer.　The important moral value you have learned in the novel Paragraph
In Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail, I learnt about　compassion for fellow human beings. Many characters exhibit　compassion for each other and act in a kind manner because of their　compassionate nature.

Introduction
Rory and Granda care for each other and there is compassion　in their actions. Rory cares for his grandfather’s well-being and　protects him from anything he considers bad, offensive or dangerous.
Granda tries his best to help Rory unfortunately makes mistakes, but　there is still compassion. He strongly says that no grandson of his is　going to a home for as long as he is around.（Evidence +　Example）
Dr Nicol, Val Jessup, the police and the nurses act　compassionately towards Granda and Rory. They are affected by the　dilemma of an ageing man who is so dependent on a young boy and　therefore do what they think is the best. Even Darren’s mum thinks　Rory has taken on too big a responsibility and worries over him. Mrs　Foley, Rory’s teacher, wants to foster Rory because of this same　reason.　（Evidence +　Example）
Darren offers his mum’s caravan to them because he cares for　Rory and Granda. He warns them about the arrival of the police. Tony　and Tom look after Rory in the children’s home because they know he　is　miserable. Sammy, Ruby and Tyrone help pair on their escape　because of their kind nature. All the others, like Bernie, Rab, Annie　and Norma are concerned about the pair’s well-being. They feel for　both Granda and Rory and do their best to make things better for　them.　（Evidence +　Example）
I think the nature of the characters proves that the author thinks　that being compassionate helps you lead a good life.
Conclusion