Learning Opportunities from Illegal

1. Immigration: Students can explore the dangers and

difficulties of immigration, such as exploitation and
bureaucracy, through Ebo’s journey in the novel.
2. Refugee rights: The book provides an opportunity to discuss
the human rights of refugees and how necessary it is for
countries to protect displaced persons.
3. Culture: By studying some of the Ghanaian characters in the
story, students can gain insights into the culture’s traditions
and customs.
4. History: Investigating the circumstances leading up to Ebo’s
flight from Ghana can help students understand global
conflicts and their consequences.
5. Citizenship: Through lessons on citizenship, we can use Ebo’s
journey to consider belonging in a particular place and how
to contribute positively to society regardless of background
or legal status.
Lesson Plans Based on Learning
Opportunities from Illegal
Lesson 1: Exploring Immigration
Objective:

Students will gain an understanding of the challenges faced by

immigrants, with a focus on Ebo’s journey in Illegal.

Activities:
  Screen a short video related to immigration and have
students discuss what they learned from it.
 Have the students read passages from Illegal that highlight
Ebo’s experiences and challenges as an immigrant.
 Assign a writing project where students create their own
immigrant story based on research on contemporary
immigration issues.
Lesson 2: Examining Refugee Rights
Objective:

Students will explore the rights of refugees in different countries

by studying Ebo’s circumstances in Illegal. Activities:

 Read Illegal passages highlighting Ebo’s struggles to secure

refugee status in other countries.
 Have students write essays reflecting on what they think are
the most important rights for refugees and why.
 Research organisations dedicated to promoting refugee
rights have students break into groups and identify various
ways those organisations help improve refugees’ lives
worldwide.
Lesson 3: Investigating Global Conflicts
Objective:

Students will understand some of the global conflicts which led to

the displacement of people like Ebo in Illegal.

Activities:
  Break down conflicts across the globe into smaller topics,
such as causes, effects, and potential solutions and assign
each group a specific topic to investigate further using news
articles or other resources.
 Give each group 10 minutes to present their findings,
followed by a class discussion. – Have students examine how
these conflicts can lead to displacement, like what happened
with Ebo in Illegal, then brainstorm constructive ways they
can promote peace and justice both locally and globally.
Teaching Children About Displacement
1. Start by introducing the concept of displacement and why it
happens. Talk through examples of displacement caused by
natural disasters, conflict, and famine.
2. Involve children in activities like role-playing to help them
understand different perspectives and experiences related to
displacement.
3. Engage children in conversations about what a displaced
person may face, such as language barriers and financial
difficulties in another country.
4. Have children research organisations or individuals helping
with humanitarian relief efforts for displaced people
worldwide.
5. Arrange an online meeting with someone who has
experienced displacement so that students can hear their
stories firsthand and ask questions about their experience.
Organisations and Individuals Providing
Humanitarian Relief for Displaced People
 1. Doctors Without Borders: This organisation provides
medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics,
disasters, or exclusion from healthcare.
2. International Rescue Committee (IRC): The IRC helps
refugees and those displaced by famine, war, and other
disasters with lifesaving aid such as food, clean water, shelter
and healthcare.
3. UNHCR: The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
works to protect the rights of refugees and displaced people
worldwide.
4. Save the Children: This organisation works to save the lives
of children affected by displacement due to natural disasters
or conflicts worldwide by providing them access to basic
needs like food and shelter, and education opportunities.
5. Angelina Jolie: Actress Angelina Jolie is a UNHCR Special
Envoy who has participated in more than 40 field missions
related to helping displaced people globally since 2012.
Illegal by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin
 Teaching Resource (Tes) provides teachers notes to help use
this book in classrooms to promote discussion around
displacement issues.
 Teaching Books interviews authors Eoin Colfer and Andrew
Donkin, discussing their book Illegal, their creative process,
and how they hope it will impact readers’ understandings of
immigration and refugee issues.
 Educate Empower Blog reviews Illegal from a teacher’s
perspective, highlighting key themes from the book, such as
resilience and compassion in the face of displacement.
  Amazon offers the physical edition of the book for purchase
from various retailers across Europe or for digital download
in Kindle format on Amazon UK.
FAQs About Illegal by Eoin Colfer and
Andrew Donkin
Q: What is the book Illegal by Eoin Colfer and
Andrew Donkin about?
A: Illegal is a story about friendship and courage written by
authors Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin. It follows refugee Ebo
who must flee his home country due to displacement caused by
military unrest. Along the way, he meets a group of fellow
travellers who become close friends as they make their
treacherous journey towards Europe in hopes of a brighter future.

Q: What format is the book available in?

A: The book is available in physical editions from various
European retailers or for digital download in Kindle format on
Amazon UK.

Q: Where can I find discussion questions to use with

the book?
A: Tes provides teachers notes to help use this book in classrooms
to promote discussion around displacement issues here.
CategoriesEnglish, Planning Overview
A Boy Called Hope – Planning Overview
The Nowhere Emporium – Planning Overview
 - https://theteachingcouple.com/illegal-by-eoin-colfer-planning-overview/

MORE TEACHING IDEAS:

So what can you do?

 Find out where the refugees in your country are from and plot the journey they
have taken to get to your country.

 Find some news articles that tell you a story about someone who has come
you’re your country as a refugee. Find out how they came here, who they left
behind or lost and what they needed to do.

 Look at how the graphic novel is set out and create your own graphic novel that
will teach others about an important story like this one.

 See if there is a way you can help people who are refugees in your country.

You could:

– Write a letter to your local member, Premier or Prime Minister.

– Contact Local refugee organisations and see if there is any way you can help.

– Raise awareness in your community by submitting a short graphic novel to the

local newspaper or school newsletter.

 Learn more about the UN charter of rights and also the Rights of a child. Which
rights did Ebo, his brother and many people not have along the journey? Can
you think of anyone you know who is not being given all of their rights?
PREZI:

https://prezi.com/1e9xmhwbuhm4/illegal/ (INTRO ACT: At the sea)

https://prezi.com/p/njbky3bot3nz/illegal-by-eion-colfer/

QUIZLET VOCAB: https://quizlet.com/487041440/illegal-eoin-colfer-vocabulary-flash-cards/