Themes in “Sasscat to Win”.
1. “They never understood a thing their daughters talked about. They accepted Win's plans to be a world famous writer along with Sass's to be a space researcher with smiles and nods and not one caution about unobtainable dreams.” (pg 18)
A) What does Win want to be when she gets older?
B) Why have Sass's parents not cautioned their daughters about unobtainable dreams?
C) Write a couple of sentences about the message is Paula Boock trying to say about parents in general?
2. “'Oh right.' Sass hadn't even considered it. Maybe she should take some fruit juice. She didn't like drinking.” (pg 50)
“Martina paid the taxi driver, and refused to let Sass take the juice.” (pg 57)
A) Why did Sass want to drink juice?
B) What do you learn about Martina through this extract?
C) Write a couple of sentences about what Paula Boock is saying about peer pressure and friendships.
3. “Jonathon Warwick. Sounded like a right pratt (...) God she thought. Right pratt nothing. Sounded like death by association.” (pg 25)
A) What does Jonathon do that makes Sass think he is a pratt?
B) What is the real reason Sass doesn't want to make friends with him?
C) In the end Jonathon and Sass are really good friends. Write a couple of sentences about what Paula Boock is saying about peer pressure and judgement of other people.
4. “He was the first boy Sass could really call a friend. Maybe, she thought with a shock, he was the first person she could really call a friend, except for Win of course.” (pg 83)
A) Who is the first boy Sass could really call a friend?
B) What does Sass think about her friendship with Martina?
C) Write a couple of sentences about how this idea can relate to all people.
5. “'When Simon ran without question to help his best friend, where was my best friend?' And Sass hung up.” (pg 99)
A) What does Sass ask Martina?
B) What is Sass implying when she says it?
C) Write a couple of sentences about Paula Boock's message on loyalty and friendship.
6. “She smiled sadly at the Woolworths paintings, the ship and the puppies. She felt quite fond of them now, she realised, and with a twinge of guilt remembered taking them down the day when Jonathon came over.” (pg 102)
A) What are the two paintings of?
B) How does Sass feel about her family now?
C) Write a couple of sentences explaining Paula Boock's message about families and judgements.
7. “'I suppose she promised you food? Don't touch it, it's full of drugs to keep you here forever.' Sass had been thinking about that, funnily.” (pg 32)
A) What did Sass consider was in the food?
B) Why did Sass think that?
C) Hester becomes a very good friend to Sass. What is Paula Boock trying to persuade you to think about stereotypes?