Characters
What is the name of the main character and narrator
Kasienka
Why do Kasienka and her mother move to England?
To find Kasienka’s father
What major theme is shown through Kasienka’s experience of moving to England?
Immigration
What does water symbolise in the novel?
Emotions/pressure/freedom
Which character encourages Kasienka and treats her kindly?
William
What is the name given to Kasienka’s mother
Mama
In which English city do Kasienka and her mother live?
Coventry
Which theme is explored through the bullying Kasienka faces at school?
Isolation/discrimination
How is the novel written?
Free verse/ verse poetry
What language barrier causes problems for Kasienka at school?
English is not her first language
Which character becomes Kasienka’s first real friend in England?
William
What kind of accommodation do Kasienka and her mother first live in?
A small bedsit/shared house
What theme is represented by Kasienka’s swimming?
Freedom/self control/ confidence
Why is the verse style effective in telling Kasienka’s story?
It reflects her emotions and makes the story feel personal and immediate.
Why does Mama become frustrated and emotional during the novel?
She struggles financially and emotionally while searching for Tata.
What is the name of Kasienka’s father, whom they travel to England to find?
Tata
What sport helps Kasienka gain confidence and escape stress?
Swimming
Which theme is shown through Mama’s determination to find Tata?
Love/Hope
What does the swimming pool often represent for Kasienka?
Freedom/escape
What lesson does Kasienka learn by the end of the novel?
She learns independence, resilience, and self-worth.
Which school bully constantly targets Kasienka?
Clair
What difficult decision does Kasienka eventually make about her father?
She realises she cannot rely on him and begins to let go of the hope that he will return to their family.
What theme is highlighted by Kasienka’s struggle to fit into a new culture?
Identity/Belonging
How does Sarah Crossan use short poems to reflect Kasienka’s feelings?
The short poems mirror fragmented emotions, loneliness, and moments of tension.
How does the novel encourage readers to think differently about immigrants and outsiders?
It shows the emotional challenges of migration, bullying, loneliness, and trying to belong.