Ben
What Ben wants to be when he's older
Police Officer
Why does April lie about selling the wreckers?
To protect Ben from the truth and defuse the fight with Ray
What Olive thinks Ray is hiding
A body
Why does Ray call be a cop?
Because Ben asks too many questions
What is the main moral dilemma in the book?
Whether taking the money was right or wrong
Describe Ben's self esteem in the beginning of the book
Poor - he knows he is over weight, kids tease him his gran blames the junk his parents feed him
How does Ben know his mum is lying about selling the wreckers?
She justifies not telling him because she thought he'd be upset when she knows he hates the place
Ben thinks Olive is tough because?
She stands up to Ray
Why does Ray buy gifts for Ben and Olive?
To feel better about himself and keep them distracted?
'Like grandfather, like father, like son.' What is Ben afraid of?
That the kind of person he will become is connected to DNA rather than choice
Why had Ben 'come to fear silence almost as much as arguments'?
He hated not knowing what was going on or might what happen
Why does April go along with the plan
To keep her family together and because Ray has undermined her confidence, authority and sense of self since the beginning.
Who does Olive blame for being trapped in the cabin?
She blames her mum for knowing better but doing the wrong thing anyway
Why does Ray insist on eating the rabbit?
He can't stand being wrong
What is the theme which relates to Ben realizing his parents are who he thought they were?
Coming of age/ Growing up
What happens to Ben that he is no longer afraid of Ray
He finds out the truth about the money and loses respect for his dad
Why did April marry Ray?
She got pregnant with Ben
How do we know that Olive sees Ray for who he is all along?
She calls him 'Maugrim', the evil wolf from Lion, the Witch & The Wardrobe
Why does Ray struggle to connect with Olive & Ben
His own father was not a good role model
‘Ben worried sometimes that his parents would not be together forever. But he also worried that they would be together forever.’ Explain
Ben loves his family as all children inherently do but he knows Ray is not a good person/ father
Why does Ben see himself as a rabbit, being chased by his father, the wolf?
He see's his father as a threat, someone to be feared and dangerous where he is small and unable to defend himself
When does Ben stop seeing his mother as a victim?
When April confesses that she knows better and is allowing herself to be controlled by Ray
What does Olive's rabbit represent?
Bonzo symbolises Olive’s innocence as a young child of seven, as well as her determination, since she won’t leave Bonzo behind
Why does Ray hate his father?
Because he was always there for others and not him. He focused on get rich schemes rather than parenting
Ben breaking the car window is a metaphor for what?
The broken relationship between Ben and his parents, his childhood and adulthood