FORM 5 Novels :

STEP BY WICKED STEP

ZATI HANANI
SMK MERU

SYNOPSIS
It is a wild and stormy night when five British school children from Mordanger
School arrive ahead of their classmates for a week-long field trip at "haunted" Old
Harwick Hall. With the aid of flashes of lightning, the two girls Claudia and Pixie and three
boys, Robbo, Ralph and Colin find a long-abandoned secret room containing a
mysterious journal. On the cover, it reads, ‘ Richard Clayton Harwick – My Story. Read
and Weep’. From the journal, the children uncover the story of a boy who runs away from
the sinister influence of a loveless stepfather. Richard Clayton Harwick's long-hidden
journal provides an inner tale that triggers off, one by one, each of the stories of the
listening children, all of whom also have "steps," or step-parents, to share their own
sagas. And what engrossing, heart-rending stories they are: of hurting but still humorous
children picking their way through a minefield of embittered or uncommunicative or just
plain immature parents, insecure or reluctant step parents and resentful step siblings.
However, the lack of a principal plot is of no consequence as the novel main purpose is
to serve as a forum for the various stories. "Step by Wicked Step" proves that all pain
eventually heals and that we have the power to change things for the better.

SUMMARY

This novel is really five stories within a story that are induced by a story, like a nesting puzzle. So,
we have six stories in the book. There may be a lack of a principal plot here but it is of no consequence as
the novel’s main purpose is to serve as a forum for six various stories of Richard Clayton Harwick, Claudia,
Colin, Ralph, Pixie and Robbo.

In Step by Wicked Step, five boys and girls find themselves in an old house on a stormy night. In
a hidden tower room they discover an old diary, that of Richard Clayton Harwick, who left behind a journal
account of his wicked stepfather. “Read and Weep,’ says the spidery writing on the cover of the book.

After Richard Clayton Harwick’s father passes away, he was sent to Mordanger School for four
long years. He wishes to burn Mordanger to ‘ashes’ as to him, ‘there’s no meaner place on earth’ than this
boarding school. When he returns to Old Harwick Hall, he could not get along with his wicked and loveless
stepfather, Reverend Coldstone. Being ‘robbed of all his precious tokens’ from home, Richard makes the
decision to leave and become a cabin boy when ‘a great ship strains at the tide’. His decision has caused
anguish in his mother and sister, who have spent a fortune seeking his return. He did not return to see his
mother or sister until he read a square print from Riddle & Flook which requested him to claim his
ownership to Old Harwick Hall. By then, Richard knows that his stepfather, mother and sister have passed
on. Only then, he realises his decision to leave has changed the lives of his family members.
 Harwick's story prompts Claudia, Colin, Ralph, Pixie and Robbo to tell their own tales of
stepfathers, stepmothers, and stepsiblings, who are in turn eccentric, beloved, unwelcome, and almost
always misunderstood. Each vignette* is a wonderful study of human nature. As the lightning flashes, the
children begin to relate their own tales of step parents, stories that are full of warmth and humour, yet with
a fair share of sadness.

At first it seems the children could have nothing in common. Sports-mad Robbo, quick-witted
Ralph, sensible Claudia, fiery Pixie and dreamy Colin seem as different to each other as it is possible to
be. Yet they soon find they have one thing in common, and that they are all the products of broken homes
and they once have a turbulent relationship with a ‘step-’ or ‘steps-’ Below are the five stories in ‘steps by
wicked steps’ spin off from Richard Clayton Harwick’s ‘My Story. Read and Weep’. As Ralph says, “Stories
don’t have to be written,’ he reminded Claudia. ‘ This is the night for stories. Off you go,’ he reiterated.

Summary
A group of children are spending the night in the creepy Old Harwick Hall, as part of a school trip. They are
placed into certain groups, and Claudia, Colin, Ralph, Pixie and Robbo find themselves together. None of
the group members are really best friends, but throughout the night they discover a secret that the old
mansion has kept hidden for years, and they suddenly find themselves coming closer together and
discovering why they were put in a group with each other. They are all wondering why they are put
together, when they discover that they each had two different addresses on their permission slips, one for
their mother’s home and one for their father’s home. Each child comes from a divorced family. At least one
of their parents has married again. Some children have to deal with either stepbrothers, stepsisters, or
blood related siblings. They each in turn tell each other about how their parents broke up. It uncovers many
mysterious questions.
Synopsis
This novel is a tale that is both funny and moving. Five children are stranded together for the night in a
tower of creepy, dark old Harwick Hall. In that stormy night, the children uncover the story of Richard
Clayton Harwick which is very disturbing. It is a tale of a boy who of many years ago learned what it was
like to have a truly wicked stepfather.
Richard Clayton Harwick’s long hidden journal provides an inner tale that triggers off, one by one,
each of the stories of the listening children. It turns out eventually that they all have step parents, some
kind, some bad, some just plain wrong and so they tell each other their stories. After listening to Richard’s
story, each of the five tells his or her own. Their stories are powerful and intensely moving tales of children
struggling with change and shifting family conditions.
Claudia’s story shows things well on the way to a happy ending. Claudia feels disloyal to her mum
whenever she has a good time with her father and his new girlfriend, Stella. Thus, she is unfriendly towards
Stella. Finally, in front of her Dad’s friends who are rude to Stella, she compliments Stella and makes
everyone notice the lady.
Colin’s story is moving. Colin’s seems the saddest. He had someone he thought of as his father and now
he misses him so badly that it hurts. Colin’s mother leaves the only father Colin has known, a man she lived
with for many years, and in her attempt to create a new life for herself does not see that Colin has been torn
from a man he loves. Colin loves his stepfather, but hasn’t seen him for five years, and is obsessively
determined to find him.
Ralph’s story, though merry, is as complicated as a maze. He has three stepmothers to deal with. All of
them are different in their ways. In addition, he has a lot of stepbrothers, stepsisters, half brother and half
sisters to accept in his life. Ralph cannot keep track of which parent’s house he should go to after school
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each day, so his parents develop a lunchbox system: the Dumbo lunchbox means Dad’s house after school;
the Mickey Mouse one directs him to his mother’s.Towards the end, we can see that he is anxiously waiting
for his little half sister or half brother to be born.
Pixie has to deal with two really irritating sisters. She hates to go over her dad’s house twice in a month.
She feels that everyone is pretending to be in a happy family when thay are actually not. She has to deal
with two really irritating stepsisters and father who pretends he doesn’t notice how difficult things are for
her.Soon, Pixie discovers that her stepmother and stepsisters aren’t any happier about the situation than
she is. She learns to adapt to the situation. One of her step sisters teaches her mathematics and in return
she tells ghost stories.
Robbo and his sister, Callie find that their half sister, Dumpa is the problem. Both their Mum and
stepfather, Roy keep on arguing. The arguments are mainly due to Callie. Callie never seems to see eye to
eye with Roy. Both Mum and Roy are committed with each other just because of Dumpa, their three year
old son. Eventually, Callie moves out to her Dad’s place and that solves the problem.
Each of their stories is different, but through the act of telling, and through the responses of the other
children, each one learns more about his or her life.

STEP BY WICKED STEP PART 1

It is raining. Mr. Plumley and five pupil from Stagfire School are going to a haunted house in a minibus.
Ralpha, Claudia, Robbo, Collin and Pixie have been picked out by Miss O’Dell and herded into the minibus
with Mr. Plumley. When they reach Creepsville, they think it is haunted. The last group tells tales of strange
shadows and footsteps and eerie figures in white gown melting through the walls.

There are no lights and Mr. Plumley is horrified to settle the pupils in pitch dark. They go upstairs as they
pass by oil painted portraits of Harwicks of all ages staring at them. As it is a rainy night, Pixie preferred
safety in numbers. They have a rule “each bedroom is for either girls or boys.” Mr. Plumley does not know
the rule. He tells the pupils to settle in while he goes to look for the housekeeper.

Robbo decides to explore two or three more stairs. He finds two more beds and a bathroom. The boys take
the present room meanwhile Claudia and Pixie take the other. Colin points at the wall. He insists there is a
door on the wall. When there is lightning, all of them see the wall papered door meeting the wall papered
wall.

As they enter the room, cobwebs indicate no one has been there. A tower off a tower. The shelf, desk and
chair are filled with dust. Claudia sees a wooden cow balancing on three legs. She strokes its nose.
Suddenly, she hears a soft sound behind her. Robbo sets a globe of the world to spin on its axis.

By looking around, they came to a conclusion that the last child who slept in it came from a rich family.
They find out it is a boy’s room. Claudia notices a dusty green album in spidery writing on the
cover. Richard Clayton Harwick – My Story. Read and Weep.
They hear the faint rumble of the bus. The other children have arrived. The 5 children rush to their rooms
and pretend to be fast asleep. They do not want to miss the chance to read the album. Not many get a
chance to peep into someone else’s life and not many people are brave enough to tell you their story.
By the time Miss O’Dell and Mr. Plumley come to the first tower room, they think that the children are fast
asleep due to tiredness. Miss O’Dell continues to say that the five children have something in common.

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Mr. Plumley is puzzled as nothing seemed to be common in the five. Pixie is a trouble maker. Claudia is
sensible. Ralph is quick-witted and hardworking unlike Colin who likes to daydream. Robbo is soccer-mad.
As Miss O’Dell goes down, the lights come again. She shuts the tower door leaving the five children who
have been listening to their conversation.

Synopsis
This novel is a tale that is both funny and moving. Five children are stranded together for the night
in a tower of creepy, dark old Harwick Hall. In that stormy night, the children uncover the story of Richard
Clayton Harwick which is very disturbing. It is a tale of a boy who of many years ago learned what it was
like to have a truly wicked stepfather.

Richard Clayton Harwick’s long hidden journal provides an inner tale that triggers off, one by one,
each of the stories of the listening children. It turns out eventually that they all have step parents, some
kind, some bad, some just plain wrong and so they tell each other their stories. After listening to Richard’s
story, each of the five tells his or her own. Their stories are powerful and intensely moving tales of children
struggling with change and shifting family conditions

Claudia’s story shows things well on the way to a happy ending. Claudia feels disloyal to her mum
whenever she has a good time with her father and his new girlfriend, Stella. Thus, she is unfriendly towards
Stella. Finally, in front of her Dad’s friends who are rude to Stella, she compliments Stella and makes
everyone notice the lady.

Colin’s story is moving. Colin’s seems the saddest. He had someone he thought of as his father and
now he misses him so badly that it hurts. Colin’s mother leaves the only father Colin has known, a man she
lived with for many years, and in her attempt to create a new life for herself does not see that Colin has
been torn from a man he loves. Colin loves his stepfather, but hasn’t seen him for five years, and is
obsessively determined to find him.

Ralph’s story, though merry, is as complicated as a maze. He has three stepmothers to deal with. All
of them are different in their ways. In addition, he has a lot of stepbrothers, stepsisters, half brother and
half sisters to accept in his life. Ralph cannot keep track of which parent’s house he should go to after
school each day, so his parents develop a lunchbox system: the Dumbo lunchbox means Dad’s house after
school; the Mickey Mouse one directs him to his mother’s.Towards the end, we can see that he is anxiously
waiting for his little half sister or half brother to be born.

Pixie has to deal with two really irritating sisters. She hates to go over her dad’s house twice in a month.
She feels that everyone is pretending to be in a happy family when thay are actually not. She has to deal
with two really irritating stepsisters and father who pretends he doesn’t notice how difficult things are for
her.Soon, Pixie discovers that her stepmother and stepsisters aren’t any happier about the situation than
she is. She learns to adapt to the situation. One of her step sisters teaches her mathematics and in return
she tells ghost stories.

Robbo and his sister, Callie find that their half sister, Dumpa is the problem. Both their Mum and
stepfather, Roy keep on arguing. The arguments are mainly due to Callie. Callie never seems to see eye to
eye with Roy. Both Mum and Roy are committed with each other just because of Dumpa, their three year
old son. Eventually, Callie moves out to her Dad’s place and that solves the problem

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 Each of their stories is different, but through the act of telling, and through the responses of the
other children, each one learns more about his or her life.
Introduction
Exposition
One stormy night, five children are thrown together in a creepy tower, dark old Harwick Hall.

Rising Action
They explore the tower

Climax
The discover Richard Clayton Harwick’s room which is in a tower off the tower.

Falling Action
The find the long hidden journal that belongs to Richard Clayton Harwick.

Resolution
They decide to read the journal as they never get the chance to peep into other people’s life.

(Richard Harwick’s Story)

Exposition
Richard’s father had fever and eventually he died.

Rising Action
Richard’s mother remarried. She married Mr. Coldstone who was a cruel man.

Climax
Richard left home as he was not happy with the situation.

Falling Action
Richard found the note on the captain’s table. He realized that his family was looking for him. He returns
home and finds a letter written by his sister, Charlotte. In the letter, Charlotte reveals all the difficulties
they had had to undergo. He realized that his mother was searching for him.

Resolution
He has to make a decision whether he should leave again.

(Claudia’s story)

Exposition
Claudia’s Mum and Dad quarrel a lot

Rising Action
Dad leaves the house to stay with Granny and later moves to Stella’s. Claudia is sent to Stella’s house all of a
sudden and on that day Dad and Stella are having a party. Claudia excuses herself politely to be in her room
during the dinner.

Climax
Wearing the green pyjamas given by Stella, she parades and makes a grand appearance at the party. She
informs Stella that she likes the pyjamas.

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Falling Action
Everyone starts noticing Stella and make a conversation with her.

Resolution
Claudia is happy for Stella.

(Colin’s Story)

Exposition
Colin lives with his mum and a man he assumes to be his father. He calls him ‘Dad”

Rising Action
Colin and his dad spend a lot of time together. His dad walks him to and fro from school and takes him to
the park. Colin loves his dad very much.

Climax
Colin’s mum leaves the house and moves to another place. She finds a job at a canteen

Falling Action
Colin misses his dad very much. He even pretends to talk to him.

Resolution
He waits for the day when he will be able to find his dad.

(Ralph’s Story)

Exposition
Ralph has a big family. He has three stepmothers to deal with.

Rising Action
He manages to tolerate all of them

Climax
Flora, Stepmother number three is pregnant

Falling Action
He plans to help Flora to take care of his half sister or half brother.

Resolution
With the help of Mum, he sorts out the baby’s clothes.

(Pixie’s Story)
Exposition
Pixie goes over her father’s place twice in a month

Rising Action
Pixie hates her stepsisters’ habits

Climax
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Hetty moves in Pixie’s room

Falling Action
Pixie and Lucy tells each other their feelings

Resolution
Pixie learns to adapt to the situation

(Robbo’s Story)

Exposition
Robbo’s parents have splited up long ago

Rising Action
His sister Callie hates Roy, their stepfather. Frequent quarrels are seen in the house.

Climax
Roy is very adamant and refuses to speak or do things for the step children as before

Falling Action
Callie decides to move to Dad’s place.

Resolution
Mum helps to set up Dad’s home so that it would be comfortable for Callie.

Conclusion The children feel proud to relate their stories. Everyone’s story is different. The message is
not about solving the problems, but about simply dealing with them. Several of the stories are quite
poignant, one is funny, and none reach a final resolution by the end–one, in fact, is left hanging rather
ominously. But all of the children have had a chance to express what they’re feeling, and to realize (along
with readers) that they are not alone.

STEP BY WICKED STEP (PART 2)Richard’s Story

The five children are waiting in an old house for the rest of their school group to arrive. They come across
an old manuscript written by a boy who ran away when his mother remarried after his father’s death.
Richard’s Story-
Master Richard’s father had a fever. His mother tried her best to coax his father to eat something- but it
was of no use. Richard asked George the gardener about his father. Richard calls him Mr Digby. Mr Digby
did not answer him but hugged him hard instead. Lucy the maid sat by Richard’s bedside. When Richard
asked if it was going to be today,she placed her finger on his lips and said “Hush! Don’t even speak of it.
Little Charlotte called out to Richard and told him that Papa wanted to see him. He dashed as fast as he
could. He came across Reverend Coldstone but did not stop although he was asked to. The reverend was
angry. His mother was waiting at the doorway and reminded him not to cry. His father asked him to be
good to his mother and sister. His last words were –“Obey your mother’s wishes to the letter.’
At the chapel, Mr. Coldstone consoled his mother. Richard heard him say -“When you are mine…”. Richard
studied at Mordanger school. He hated it there. Now he was home. Charlotte realized that Richard hated
his stepfather. Richard accuses that Charlotte had forgotten about their father. Charlotte denied it and
advised him not to accuse Mr Coldstone as the murderer when their father died of fever. Nevertheless,
Richard had decided to leave the three of them.

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Richard wrote in his diary that he worked in a ship. Whenever he wrote about Mr Coldstone, he refered to
him as the ‘black bat’. Twice his ship stopped at his hometown and he visited his home only to stand like a
trespasser. It had been a long time since Richard had been home. Suddenly, he saw a note on the Captain’s
table. He found out that his mother and stepfather had died. Charlotte wrote him a letter. In the letter,
Charlotte wrote that things had been difficult as their mother spent a lot of money looking for him and they
all suffered Mr Coldstone’s anger. Charlotte married Charles Devere although she did not love him because
he had money and was willing to spend it to look for Richard. This would be the only letter from her.

STEP BY WICKED STEP(PART 3) Claudia’s Story: Green Pyjamas

Claudia’s Mum and Dad quarreled a lot.One day, her Dad was gone to Granny’s house. However, he
dropped by for tea. Claudia overheard the name “Stella”. Her Mum and even Granny had a row with Dad.
Dad usually met Claudia at Granny’s. She missed her Dad so much. The times spent with her Dad kept
flooding back. She wanted things back the way they used to be. For the first time, Claudia had a separate
Christmas. Later, she was introduced to Stella who was just plain and mousy. Claudia thought her mum
was a whole lot better-looking than Stella. Claudia was rude when they went for a walk. Once back, they
quarreled and the next day, Dad moved out of Granny’s house straight into with Stella.
Claudia met her Dad off and on. Stella stayed out of it. She only made some light conversation with Claudia
like asking about her friends and school. Those moments she would be thinking of her mum doing the
house chores. After talking to her friend, Shreela, Claudia stopped blaming Stella. Dad and Stella arranged
a party for their friends. Claudia was sent there for the day. Politely, she excused herself from the party and
stayed in her room. Stella was relieved. Out of curiosity, Claudia decided to eavesdrop. She wore the green
pyjamas given by Stella as it was the exact shade of green of the giant fern. She sat beside the fern and
listen to everything the adults downstairs were talking.
The guests spoke about everything except about Mum, Dad, Stella or Claudia. Nobody praised Stella for the
food nor even spoke to her. Claudia found that very rude as her Mum was not there. Claudia, unable to
stand the treatment Stella was getting, made a grand appearance at the party and thanked Stella for the
beautiful pyjamas she had brought for her. Finally, everyone started noticing Stella. As for Claudia and
Stella, this was the starting point.Stella would teach Claudia how to quilt, read maps, change electric plugs
and how to skate.

STEP BY WICKED STEP (PART4) : The Bluebird of Happiness

Colin describes his stepfather whom he calls dad. He has thought of him as his biological father all the
while. His dad looks like him. His dad has dark hair with some grey patches around his ears. His dad used
to roll his own cigarettes out of tobacco in a tin. His dad calls him by many nick names- Col, Collie, Sonny-
boy, Buster, Mr Bluebird. Colin’s mum works in a shop. His dad walks him to school and back. His dad got
him his tea and took him to the park. At the park, he used to swing as high as the bar, he swings back in
such a way that his dad would call him –The Bluebird of Happiness.
Then, Colin’s mum took him and moved away. It happened when Colin’s father had gone to spend a day
with his sister. Two friends of his mum came with a van and packed everything. Then they went off. At first,
he thought his dad will join them later. Colin was not happy- school mates would snigger when he did not
understand things. Mum found a job at a canteen. She would be busy doing household chores when she
came home. Mum was too busy to listen to him. He compared her with his dad- his dad used to talk to him
and remembered names of his friends and teachers. Colin asked his mother many times about his dad. He
wanted to know when his dad will come home.
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His mother did give him a hint about his father not having a proper job. He realized later that his mother
did not leave any clues for his dad to follow. He then wrote a letter to his dad. But there was no reply.
Every night, Colin would take the tobacco tin out of the toe of his boot and put it under his pillow. Then, he
would hum his favourite song which was also his dad’s favourite. He would stay awake for hours talking to
his dad. He pretended that his dad was there. Colin said that it was as if his mother thought that whatever
is happening is actually happening only to her. Then one day when he returned home from school, he
realized that his mum had thrown away his boots. The boots were too small for him but she did not know
that there was a tobacco tin hidden in there. He did not bother to tell her because she wouldn’t have liked
it.
It has been five years, eight months and seven days and Colin still remembers hit dad. He secretly writes
his dad’s name and his old address on the forms at school. Colin also tries to save money- he does three
paper rounds. He will not try to look for his dad now- perhaps someday when he has enough money.
Colin hums slowly and when asked to sing, he says that he is saving the words till he finds his dad. It was
his favourite song- The Bluebird of Happiness. His friend Ralph consoled him by saying that someday Colin
will find his dad.

STEP BY WICKED STEP (PART 5) : A Tale of Three Stepmothers

Ralph has two brothers, two half-brothers, one half-sister, three stepbrothers, one stepsister,three
stepmothers, one stepfather, two step-grandmothers and a step-grandfather. Living in a big family is no
joke. After school on Mondays and Thursdays, he goes directly to Dad’s place. His mum or his step dad,
Howard sends him. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, he goes straight to his Mum’s place. At times,
he will be lost not knowing where to go. The lunchboxes help. M for Mickey Mouse and Mum, D for Dumbo
and Dad. If he is lost, he has to look at his lunch box to confirm his destination. Edward and George are his
brothers. The boys liked Annabel, stepmother No. 1. The only problem was she never left the boys alone
with their dad.
Edward and George hated this. Dad and Annabel spent all their time kissing and cuddling. Annabel was
always on a diet. She disapproved of coffee. So the boys had to drink Dandelion tea every morning. She
loved to read out her star sign forecast in the mornings and again in the evenings. Sometimes, she even
tried to look at Edward and George to tell their aura. However, the boys would deny anything she said.
Yet, their dad would not feel embarrassed.
One day, Brandy, Ralph’s cat was sent over as their Mum was varnishing the hall. The three boys took
Brandy in a cage. Edward had made it from a broken milk bottle crate and bits of wire. Annabel was
annoyed and blamed them to be cruel as Brandy did not have room to breathe. Dad distracted her by
pointing out that they were out of bread. Annabel insisted in baking. The poor boys were starving to death.
So, they went to the shops. They boys ate three large loaves and before they came home, they brushed away
the crumbs. Dad was praising of how the dough had risen.
When Annabel left it on the table, Brandy leapt up on the table and sniffed the dough. Then, Brandy lifted
its paw and patted the dough. Next, Brandy curled himself comfortably into the dough. Annabel went mad.
Dad tried to stick up for Brandy. The spell between Annabel and Dad was broken. In the end, Annabel ran
off with someone and Dad searched high and low to get the divorce papers signed.
The boys did not miss her as she was more of dad’s girlfriend than a real stepmother.
Dad then focused his attention on Janet, who was more keen on rules. However, Dad liked it. Edward and
George did not mind as they were able to spend ample time with Dad. On the other hand, Janet was busy
rushing her children to the doctors, dentist and school.

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Janet’s own children, Tom, Joe and Doug and Ann moved in with the three boys.
Tom and Ann could get along with Ralph but not Joe and Doug. Mum and Howard though Janet was
wonderful. Janet could draw up proper schedule and Mum hardly bothered as she found Janet was easy to
deal with. Due to the rules, Ralph knew he could pick up rules in no time if he was ever anywhere. Finally
Janet left. She got fed up with
Mum and Dad as they were taking advantage of her. Dad kept fixing up work trips on the days the boys
were there. He told Janet that she had four children and another three would not make any difference.
Mum started sneaking Victor’s romper suit hoping that Janet would come across them and get the stains
out before sending them back. So, Janet left. The boys had a wonderful time after that. Unfortunately, it
was only for a short period of time. Stepmother Number 3, Flora, came into the picture. Edward met her
lying on Dad’s patio with hardly any clothes on. She had the cheek to tell Edward to cover up as she was
enjoying the sun. George met Flora when they went shopping. Flora was dumping treats like strawberries,
kiwi fruits, waffles, Belgian chocolates into the trolley. Dad was looking into the wallet, gloomily. Ralph
went the next day. When he rang the bell, Flora opened and enquired. Ralph introduced himself. Flora blew
her top as she did want to be a nanny. She took Ralph out for a Chinese Dinner and to watch a film. Then
she met some friends and went to a coffee bar. At that time, Ralph informed his Dad of their whereabouts.
Dad was furious and scolded Flora. Flora was cool and told him not to dump the children on her before
checking her schedule. Ralph thought she was wonderful although she did all sorts of terrible things to him.
Flora was pregnant and she ate only mint sauce sandwiches. Ralph was worried that his half sister or half
brother would not be well taken care off by Flora. She did not know how and Ralph decided to help her out.
The others usually teased Ralph. Most probably, Flora would settle in with this family.

Colin’s Story:
The Bluebird of Claudia’s Story:
Happiness Ralph’s Story: Green Pyjamas

Colin and his mother left his
father when he was a few
weeks’ old. His mother
takes up with a person
whom he thinks of as his
father. However, his
immature mother also
leaves this stepdad after a
while. Now he misses him
so badly that it hurts.
A Tale of Three After Claudia’s parents’ divorce, Dad
Stepmothers finds a girlfriend, Stella. Claudia feels
disloyal to her mum whenever she has
Ralph's life, though a good time with her father and his new
merry, is as girlfriend. Even though Stella tries her
best to be accepted by Claudia and her
complicated as a
daddy’s friends, she is being ignored.
maze as he has Finally, Claudia realises her rudeness
three stepmothers and she comes out of her closet by
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and many step- wearing the green pyjamas given by
family members. Stella.
 Story within ‘step by wicked step’

Pixie’s Story:
Robbo’s Story:
The Pains in my Life
Dumpa’s the Problem
Pixie has to deal with two really irritating
Robbo and his sister, Callie always think
stepsisters and a father who pretends he
that the birth of their stepbrother, Dumpa
doesn't notice how difficult things are for
has caused numerous problems between
her. One day her stepmother ( Lucy) and
them and their step father, Roy. When the
Pixie have a fight. They pour out their
relationship between Robbo’s mother and
frustrations. Only then they realise that it is
Roy is on the rock, Robbo realises that
all because of Pixie’s father who is
Roy does not move on because Dumpa’s
“selfish’, ‘always pretending he didn’t
the problem. Finally, Robbo realises that
notice things’, and leaving them for Lucy to
his mother is always stuck in between
sort out the mess.
when Callie and Roy quarrel. This has
caused mum and Robbo’s stepfather to be
upset.

VIGNETTE Characters
1. Claudia’s Story : Green Pyjamas • Dad’s girlfriend, Stella, who is a
cook
2. Colin’s Story : The Bluebird of • Colin’s immature mother
Happiness • Colin’s endearing stepdad (Jack )
who calls him many nicknames.
3. Ralph’s Story : A Tale of Three • First stepmother, Annabelle
Stepmothers • Second stepmother, Janet
• Third stepmother, Flora
• Stepdad, Howard
4. Pixie’s Story : The Pains in my Life • Pixie’s stepmother, Lucy

• Two stepsisters , Sophie and Hetty

Payne
• Pixie’s dad, whose lackadaisical
attitude towards his family makes

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 things difficult for the family to
come together as a happy one.
5. Robbo’s Story: Dumpa’s the Problem • Roy ( a.k.a The Beard), Robbo’s
step dad.
• Callie, Robbo’s sister who hates
The Beard
• Dumpa, Robbo’s newly born step
brother
• Robbo’s mum, Hope

THEMES
Family relationships
Coping with new family members for example Pixie understands that her new stepmother is having
as much trouble ‘adjusting’ as she is.

Dealing with adversities

Young children and adults may find difficulties dealing with frustrations, fears and sadness.

Being happy
‘Life has dealt us one hard blow, there is no reason for us to be unhappy for ever’. For example,
Claudia realises it is not fair to hate her new stepmother, Stella.
Think long enough before making a decision
Richard Harwick made a rash decision to run away and that had changed the lives of his stepfather,
mother and sister.
Coping with change
All pain eventually heals and that we have the power to change things for the better.
Dealing with Separation and Divorce
It deals with a social phenomenon that many people are experiencing, the idea of a divorce as
somehow horrible. Separation and divorce, and the events leading up to them, interrupts the
stability and predictability that children need.

VALUES

1. It is important that children should tell their parents about their real feelings and
vice
versa.

2. One has to be brave when facing adversities.

3. We must not judge someone without knowing all the facts. We should weigh our
pros or cons, and study the facts.

4. Adults or parents should be more thoughtful in making decision as it would affect the lives of their
children.

HAS AN IMMATURE AND INDIFFERENT

COLIN MOTHER
HAS AN IMMATURE PIXIE
FATHER

His mother gets in and out of a 12Her father is selfish for he always
relationship frequently pretends that he did not notice things
 DREAMY
He drifts through the hours of each
school day as if his thoughts were
hundreds of miles away.
SeLFLESs
He asks for cash instead of
Christmas presents so that he will
be able to save enough money to
look for his stepdad.
COULD GET ALONG WELL WITH
STEPDAD, JACK
The thing about Dad is you can talk to
him.
WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?
No. Story
1 Richard Clayton Harwick – My Story.
Read and Weep
2 Claudia’s Story : Green Pyjamas
3 Colin’s Story : The Bluebird of
Happiness
4 Ralph’s Story: A Tale of Three
Stepmothers
5 Pixie’s Story : The Pains in My Life
FIERY
-her stepsisters drive her up the wall
- She almost doesn’t want to bother to
see her father anymore
-she can’t stand it when people sneer
at her.
SELFISH
-I’d have a bedroom to myself
- Do you think it would kill him( Dad) to try
and stick up for me once in a while….?
COULD NOT GET ALONG WELL
WITH STEPMUM, LUCY
- ‘And I didn’t choose you, either,’
Lucy pointed out. ‘But I still try to get
along with you.’
Problem
He could not get along with his stepfather and
so he ran away from home.
Claudia feels disloyal to her mum whenever she
has a good time with her father and his new
girlfriend. Claudia becomes hostile towards
Stella, disregarding all the latter’s effort to warm
up to her.
Colin and Mum leave Jack, the only ‘father’
figure Colin ever knew. This causes him to miss
Jack so badly that it hurts. He is still pining for
Jack and hopes to save enough money one day
so that he can be with his stepdad again.
He has to deal with too many step family
members and relatives as a result of his
immature parents’ decisions.
She has to deal with two really irritating
stepsisters and a father who pretends he doesn't
notice how difficult things are for her.
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6 Robbo’s Story : Dumpa’s The Problem
Robbo and his sister, Callie always think that the
birth of their stepbrother, Dumpa has caused
numerous problems between them and their
stepfather, Roy. When the relationship between
Robbo’s mother and Roy is on the rock, Robbo
realises that Roy does not move on because
Dumpa’s the problem. Finally, Robbo realises
that his mother is always stuck in between when
Callie and Roy quarrel. This has caused mum
and Robbo’s stepfather to be upset.

The novel I have chosen is ‘Step by wicked step’ written by Anne Fine. Colin and
Claudia are the two characters I have chosen to compare and contrast. Although they are two
differing characters, they also have some similarities.

Both Colin and Claudia come from broken or separated families. They both have step
parents. Colin’s mother has left his biological father and `took up’ with Jack. Jack is the only
‘father’ figure Colin ever know. However, Colin’s mum leaves Jack after a while. This causes him to
miss Jack so badly that it hurts. On the other hand, Claudia’s father has left her mother for another
woman, Stella. She feels disloyal to her mum whenever she has a good time with her father and
Stella. Both Colin and Claudia really want their parents to reconcile as they pine for how it used to
be when they were happy.

Colin and Claudia also do not adapt to the drastic changes their families undergo. Colin’s
unwavering loyalty and want for his ‘dad’ to be back and Claudia’s misguided loyalty to her mother
shows that these two characters find difficulties dealing with changes. There are frustrations, fear
and sadness. Furthermore, both Colin’s and Claudia’s mothers do not take their emotions into
consideration. It is as though everything is only happening to them, and will never have an impact
on the children.

However, Colin and Claudia are markedly different individuals. They deal with the
changes in their respective families differently; Colin is portrayed as a boy always pining for his
‘father’ even after five whole years. However, Claudia becomes hostile towards the new lady in her
life, Stella, disregarding all the latter’s efforts to warm up to her.

Both Colin and Claudia have different personalities too. Colin is a dreamer who dreams of
an ideal life where his ‘dad’ and mother will be together forever and happy. He secretly keeps his
‘father’s’ tobacco tin and saves money so that he can look for him one day. This makes him too
depending on his stepdad and emotionally attached to him. This is probably due to the fact that he
needs love from a man called ‘father’. Claudia is more of a sensible and rational person. After
seeing her dad’s friends ignoring Stella and judging it as ‘rude’, she goes to compliment Stella on
her stellar choice of green pyjamas. Claudia is more independent and is not afraid to voice her
opinions. Unlike Colin, Claudia is brave in coming to terms with her parents’ separation. She is
independent and not afraid to voice her opinions.

Even though they experience broken family relationships and find it difficult to accept
changes, the way Colin and Claudia accept new additional member of the family is different. They
have different views in accepting reality and this has made the story more inspiring and colourful.

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 Form 5
Nature

This poem is about celebration. It is a descriptive poem about the changing scenes. It celebrates
the richness of the land’s produce and how alive and plentiful Nature is. However, amidst the
harsh rain and lashing wind, things are always bright and glorious when the sun shines again.

SETTING
The poem is set in Jamaica. The poet uses nature and describes the weather being hot and wet.
The poet also uses trees, bushes, flowers, and fruits to portray nature as alive and abundant.
The weather is seen as bright and sunny with flowers in full bloom. If it turns wet with its torrential
rain and gushing wind, or when water swirls on the ground and nature is in mayhem, it will all
eventually pass. He shares his enthusiasm and gratitude and appreciation for nature as the
poem ends.
TONE AND MOOD
H.D. Carberry uses a joyful and casual tone. He celebrates nature using words like ‘gold’,
‘magnificent’, stars’ and ‘beauty’. His light-hearted mood invites the readers to celebrate
Jamaica’s opulent nature.
THEME
1) Celebrating nature yet be humbled by it

The wonder of nature should be admired and revered as its power is limitless and unpredictable.
Weather changes in a wink of an eye, latent one moment and the other, unleashing its destructive
force. The same weather can be stagnant one moment and the next revitalizing the earth with
growth and beauty the next.

2) Cycle of life

Though, we are saddened at the passing of beauty and life, we must learn that it is the natural
cycle of life. Nature has its moments of life and death; moments of construction and destruction.
When the struggle is over, we will see the rejuvenated nature blossoming itself.

3) Appreciating one’s country

Life in one’s country has its share of ups and downs How but can you always
one must LINK things that
look at the brighter side
happens
of life. In this poem, the poet stresses on his country’s in the
weather beingpoem
sunny,‘Nature’ to
rainy and windy. He
mentions its produce
What do you OBSERVE as you of mango and honey, and the beauty of its canefields
your own life? and the openness of
the countryside. The poet states that we must appreciate what we have.
read the poem ‘Nature’?
* Instead of canefields, we have paddy
* sun fields in Malaysia.
* canefield * Leaves fall from rambutan or ciku
* rain trees.
* roofs * Days when rambutan or papaya or
* water rambutan tree blossom.
* gullies * Sound of bees or flies or mosquitoes.
* trees * Tall grass sway in our garden or
* leaves open
* guango trees spaces.
* logwood
* bushes
* bees
* honey comb
* tall grass 15
* buttercups

What do you WONDER as you read
the poem ‘Nature’?
* How hot the Sun is?
* How vast the canefiled is?
* How heavy the rain is?
* How water moves in the gullies?
* How the canefield will look bare?
* How loud the sound of bees is?
* How low do the tall grass sway?
* How beautiful the earth look paved
with buttercups?
What SENSORY descriptions are
included in the poem ‘Nature’
(sight, taste, smell, hearing,
touch)?
* hearing = swish of water, sound of
bees,
beats like bullets,
* sight =gold sun shine, lush green,
trees
struggling, tall grass sways, yellow
stars

SUNNY DAYS RAINY AND WINDY DAYS

When the gold sun shines on the lush
green canefields - Magnificently
But best of all there are the days when
the mango and the logwood blossom
When the bushes are full of the sound of
bees and the scent of honey
When the tall grass sways and shivers to
the slightest breath of air
When the buttercups have paved the
earth with yellow stars
And beauty comes suddenly and the rains
have gone
The days when the rain beats like bullets
on the roofs
And there is no sound but the swish of
water in the gullies
And trees struggling in the high Jamaica
winds
Also there are the days when leaves fade
from off guango trees
And the reaped canefields lie bare and
fallow to the sun

SUNNY DAYS RAINY AND WINDY DAYS

Lush green paddy fields and trees Flashing lightning and thunder

Seasonal fruits and local fruits Rains cats and dogs

Constant sound of insects Landslides

Tall grass Flash floods

Flame the forests, bougainvillea, hibiscus Roof tops get blown away/damaged
etc
Rainbows sometimes seen after the rain Crops get damaged

Theme : A unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work.

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