Page 19 - Knowledge Organiser Yr7 24-25

1. Why this book?
This book develops our understanding of conflict in Tibet and focuses on the resilience and tenacity of two 12 year olds with the determination to make a difference amid extreme political and environmental hostilities. It’s a thrilling fable about hope, and the importance of holding onto what matters, no matter what.
3. Themes
Themes Themes are the main ideas that appear repeatedly in a novel.
Survival
Aya has already survived a harsh life where she has been orphaned, caught up in war, imprisoned and has escaped slavery and people traffickers. In the novel, Bill and Aya must do everything they can to survive – taking risks and doing things they normally would not do. (Human trafficking is when people are brought to (or moved around) a country and forced to work, or do other things they don't want to do.)
Friendship
Bill and Aya come from contrasting backgrounds. They have different customs and do not speak the same language. Despite this, they learn to trust and depend on each other for survival. The novel shows that human beings can overcome their differences. As Aya writes at the end: “We lived in a country with no borders. We slept in a house with no walls.”
Power of storytelling
Throughout the novel, Aya tells stories to Bill. These stories distract them from their suffering, give them hope to keep going and create greater understanding between the pair. Aya’s stories, loosely based on One Thousand and One Nights, tell of clever women, peasants, thieves and warlords.
By the end, Aya becomes like one of the female heroes in her own stories – a "shadow warrior". Pandora is the name of the yacht that Bill is on board when the storm hits. Aya tells the story of Pandora who opens a box and lets evil into the world, but also hope. She connects the story to their own experiences, teaching Bill that they too must always have hope.
2. Characters
Bill
15-year-old British boy who is interested in science. Practical and brave, his ability to solve problems helps him to survive the dangers at sea. The story is told from his point ofview.
Aya
Teenage girl from Morocco. She belongs to the Amazigh tribe. She is strong, fearless and has escaped war and captivity. Aya is determined to return
to help her village. She is a gifted storyteller and is multilingual.
Stephan
A young man who is involved with people traffickers. Half Spanish and half Arabic. Stephan is not trustworthy and threatens Aya.
Jake Wilson
The captain and leader of the Youth Sail challenge that Bill is taking part in. He feels guilty that he did not save Bill during the storm. “Wilko” visits Bill in hospital and helps Bill return to Morocco to find Aya.
Mohamed
Moroccan fisherman who rescues Aya and Bill.
4. Context
The Amazigh People
Aya is an Amazigh. The Amazigh people do not belong to one country. They live on land stretching across North Africa, from Morocco to Egypt. They have their own language and cultural traditions. Sometimes, this has caused problems with national governments and leaders who don’t like these differences. Amazigh communities have been broken up and sometimes attacked. In the novel, Aya’s village has been taken over by a violent and greedy warlord who terrorises the Amazigh people.
Lucy and John Bill’s parents.
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Knowledge Base: Tutor Reading Girl. Boy. Sea Year 7