Reading 'The Twisted Tree': introducing the setting

English

In 'The Twisted Tree', pupils explore Gothic imagery in a contemporary text. In 'Dystopian Settings', pupils use their own dark imagery to write their own descriptive pieces.

In 'Sherlock Holmes: Short Stories', pupils begin to analyse the choices of an author. in 'The Twisted Tree', pupils develop their analytical writing skills. 

In this unit, pupils read, explore and respond to the modern fairytale novel 'The Twisted Tree'. They start by reading the novel before practising writing analytically about the novel's key characters and themes. They finally respond creatively to the novel by writing an article and short script.

'The Twisted Tree': fiction reading

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of serious mental health issues including eating disorders, self-harm, suicide or attempted suicide, or the aftermath of such an event.

Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

In a Nordic thriller, what kind of weather would you **not** typically expect to encounter?

The weather reflects the mood of the main character.

The weather reflects the appearance of the main character.

The weather signals the end of the chapter.

Which of the following best describes pathetic fallacy?

In 'The Twisted Tree' what does Martha discover at the end of Chapter 3?

It resolves all the conflicts in the story.

It leaves the reader in suspense and anticipation.

In 'The Twisted Tree', what effect does the cliffhanger at the end of Chapter 3 have on the reader?

Which word beginning with 'a' can be described as the tone or mood created by a writer?

Which **two** words does the writer use to describe the tree, in Chapter 3 of 'The Twisted Tree'?

What is the name of the main character in 'The Twisted Tree'?

In what country is the book 'The Twisted Tree' set?

In 'The Twisted Tree', the writer dedicates the book to which Norse god?

Horror, sci-fi, romance and thriller can be considered types of ...

she is involved in all major events of the plot.

she narrates the entire story in the first person.

Which of the following answers is **false**. We know Martha is the protagonist of 'The Twisted Tree' because ...

Using information such as the front cover and blurb can help you make guesses about a novel’s themes and characters before you begin reading. This reading skill is called ...

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Reading 'The Twisted Tree': introducing the setting

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.