Peer inside the mind of author Helen Rutter and help pupils understand how to show characters at a turning point in the story with this WAGOLL based on The Boy with Big Decisions.
The Boy with Big Decisions uses the literary technique of branching narratives to build a story. A branching narrative structure is one in which the storyline diverges based on the decisions and actions of the player or reader.
Unlike linear narratives that follow a predetermined path, branching narratives offer multiple pathways and outcomes. This allows the reader to shape their own reading experiences. It is empowering, engaging and a really fresh way to read a book.
Branching narratives can also give us, as writers, a really good framework to delve deeper into our characters’ wants and desires. They help us think about how they might act in different situations.
Does your character thrive on drama? Do they get a thrill from danger, or is the safe choice more likely to lead them to happiness?
This free resource pack will help you guide KS2 children through the process of analysing the critical first decision in a book about decisions and their consequences. Children will go on to write their own hinge-point scene, described by a first-person narrator.
What’s included?
- Extract from The Boy with Big Decisions by Helen Rutter
- ‘How writers can show characters at a turning point’ poster
- ‘Exploring writers’ techniques’ worksheet
- ‘Exploring writers’ techniques’ working wall display
- Planning sheet, including situation ideas
Thank you to Lindsay Pickton for creating the resource pack. Browse more WAGOLL packs from real authors.
Five ways to construct a turning point
The Boy With Big Decisions author, Helen Rutter, offers her advice…
Make a plan
Decide on your core theme for the story. In The Boy with Big Decisions, it is Fred moving up to secondary school and all the different choices inherent in that. Next, think about this situation and what decisions your character might have to make.
Aim for short and sweet
Branching narrative stories are written in short sections, so your reader will need to engage with your main character immediately. Give us a real insight into their thoughts from the start and present them with a challenge on the first page. This is true of showing them making their choices, too.
Keep readers guessing
Think about how to make your story really gripping, whatever path you go down. Cliffhanger endings to sections are a great way to do this – then offering a couple of choices that have high stakes as you attempt to dodge real peril. Think about the potential consequences of the decisions your character is making. How do they feel about what might happen?
Let your character make mistakes
Make sure your main character can make mistakes (or ‘the wrong choice’), but is able to course-correct. Mistakes we make in real life (mostly) aren’t the end of the world. It’s important to show that it’s OK to make mistakes throughout the story, and learn from them.
Keep track
Use a digital platform like Twinery to help keep track of all your different threads for you. Knowing what will happen after every decision is a must.
What is The Boy with Big Decisions about?
Fred can’t make a decision about anything – his parents always tell him what to do, from what to eat every day to which secondary school to choose.
That’s how Fred has found himself as a pupil at the strict, high-pressured Gains School, when he’d much rather be going to Browtree, with its brilliant art department and kind teachers. As Fred waits for the bus to his new school, the bus for Browtree pulls up – and a wild, thrilling thought strikes him.
Should he jump on this bus and pretend he’s a new student at Browtree? Will he be brave enough to follow a different path for once? Well, that’s up to you!
As the reader, you will stand in Fred’s shoes and make decisions alongside him throughout this story. You’ll help him stand up for what he believes in, learn what he truly loves to do, make good friends and face choices about whether to swerve drama or walk right into it. YOU are in charge of The Boy with Big Decisions.
Podcast and teaching resources
The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh by Helen Rutter is a previous winner of the KS2 category of the Teach Primary Book Awards.
It follows Billy Plimpton, a boy with a stammer who dreams of being a stand-up comedian but must overcome multiple obstacles, including a school bully.
Listen to the author talk about the book in episode 17 of the Author in your Classroom podcast, then download free accompanying resources to help students write their own story based on a character who is finding their way in the world.
