Flipping Fantastic by Jane Langford

Synopsis

         Flipping Fantastic is a story of two brothers, James and Tristan. Although they are twins, they are different in many ways. Tristan is physically disabled and wheelchair-bound while James is normal. Tristan appears to be smarter than James. Tristan loves drama while James hates it. However, James is good in sports and games.

         In the story they have just completed primary school and are going separate ways after that. Tristan is going to a residential school with special facilities while James will join a normal day school. they go through many emotions as they battle a myriad of confusing emotions caused by the pangs of separation, the fears and apprehensions about going to a new school and the bouts of indecision. Even their mother wonders whether she has done right in separating the two boys.

         Finally it is 'all's well that end's well' for them. Tristan goes to Chesterlea Grange as planned while James joins Highfields. Both are happy in their respective new schools.

SETTING            1.      Time : end of Primary school and going to secondary school           2.      Place : the place is not mentioned although three places are referred to in the story;                            Peter Hill Primary,  Highfields and Chesterlea Grange

Chesterlea Grange is a special school for the disabled

          CHARACTERSA. Main characters

Mum, Tristan and James

1.      Tristan : confident, caring, has initiative, open, sociable, polite, appreciative, positive outlook and adaptable.2.      James : shy, lack of self-confidence, negative outlook, sense of responsibility, caring, adaptable.

3.      Mum : strong, determined, positive outlook, optimistic, loving, caring, observant, understanding.

Kiara Jones

 B. Minor Characters

1.      The teachers – Mr. Sewell, Mrs. Roberts2.      Schoolmates – Jessica Parker and Kiara Jone.

PLOT1.      Exposition

The main characters, James, Tristan and Mum are introduced. We also learn more about the twins and the upcoming school play.

2.      Rising actionBoth Tristan and James have mixed feelings about going to their new schools. They are worried about being separated and whether they can adapt to their new schools.

3.      ClimaxThe climax is the day after the school play. Tristan and James react differently to the school play. They both realize how much they depend on each other and how difficult it would be to adapt to their new schools. Tristan is not sure whether to follow James to Highfields or go to Chesterlea Grange.

4.      Falling actionFirst, Tristan tells his mother that he does not want to go to Chesterlea Grange. Then, James talks to him and Tristan changes his mind.

5.      ResolutionThis is the ending where the twins realize that they have made the  right decision. They are both very happy in their new schools.

Learning to make a decision and making the right decision bring  happiness to

Tristan.

THEMES1.      Relationship between brothers.2.      The pain of separation.3.      Fear of changes.4.      Mother’s love.5.      Adapting to new environments.

6.   Importance of being self-confident.7.   Telling the truth about one's feelings.

Tristan love the new environments and adapt himself well at Chesterlea

Grange

            MORAL VALUES

James is always at Tristan's side

           1.   Cooperation among family members

Tristan always talks to his Mum and his Mum always listens to her sons.

             2.  Understanding, patient and caring parents can build a child’s confidence  and self-esteem.

POINT OF VIEWThe story is told in the first person of view. It is in the form of a diary or journal. Thethree  main characters give their personal points of view on the events and incidentsthat occur in the story.