Joshua tells the story of how he accepts a bet with the school bully, Scott Mooney. He agrees to race his pet ferret, Bucks, in the Hartley Ferret Derby. Unfortunately, Joshua knows very little about how to train a ferret to race.
Gramps comes to the rescue, to help Josh train Bucks for the big race. It all looked very rosy for Josh, but Gramps suddenly becomes ill with a stroke and Bucks becomes pregnant. Josh learns to deal with these trying times and still resolve his bet with Scott Mooney.
Through reading about Josh's problems, readers discover important messages about life, through the relationships we have with our family and friends. This realistic novel has a delightfully humorous storyline suited to upper primary students.
Read a review of Ferret Boy on Aussiereviews.com.
Sue Lawson lives with her husband, daughter and rather scruffy Cairn terrier in Colac in Western Victoria. She has worked as a primary teacher, shop assistant, ticket seller, swimming teacher and radio announcer. Sue has a passion for writing, reading and children. She spends time visiting schools and running workshops. She has written three novels: Dragon's Tear, Ferret Boy and Tessa; and the picture book, My Gran's Different.
Find out more about Sue Lawson on the Internet.
http://www.scholastic.com.au/Profiles/ProfileDisplay.asp?ProfileId=428
- How does Scott Mooney bully the children at school? (p 15) What similar/different experiences have you had? How does this help you understand the characters?
- Why do people give nicknames? Discuss the reasons behind the nicknames of different characters in the novel? (p 20)
- How does the author use nicknames and everyday events to create humour in the story? (p 34)
- Is a dare part of the bullying by Scott Mooney? (p 40)
- How does Gramps make Josh feel special? (p 51)
- Why was Josh so upset at visiting the hospital? (p 76)
- Why was Josh's mum, so proud of him? How did he make a difference with his grandpa? (p 84)
- Why is Josh avoiding visiting Grandpa? Why is he afraid? (p 110)
- Why do Josh and Matt 'wind' each other up? (p 129)
- Is Scott Mooney cruel in his ferret training methods? Why/Why not? (p 157)
- Should Josh be honest in enrolling Eddie instead of Bucks for the Ferret Derby? (p 204)
- Why did Josh really give Crusher back to Mooney? (p 255)
- Do you think Josh will be bullied by Mooney again? (p 256) What does this book tell us about bullying?
- Why did Sue Lawson choose this setting for Ferret Boy?
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