1. How did Davey get his nickname? 2. What is a haiku? 3. How do we know that Sam was bored at assembly?
4. What advice does Mr Mackie give to the class when they ask about how to get started writing poetry?
5. How does Mr Mackie explain what a haiku is? Would you agree with him? Why?
6. How does Alex disrupt the class? How does Mr Mackie react? 7. In very simple words the author creates some powerful images. What is your favourite image in this extract?
8. What kind of teacher is Mr Mackie? Find evidence from the text to back up your opinion.
9. What kind of person is Sam? Explain why you think this.
10. Why did the class bully pick on Davey do you think? 11. Do you want to find out what happened to Davey? How does the author make you want to read on?
12. Create a haiku of your own. 13. Bullying is a very serious offence. What can you do if it happens to you? Or if you see it happening to somebody else?