CALENDARSHOPABOUT US
HOMEVISITCOLLECTIONSEXHIBITIONSWHATS ONRESEARCHKIDSEDUCATIONSearch
play

Caravan Kids, by Libby Hathorn

Caravan Kids

When the Smyth family win a pink caravan in the 1957 Christmas raffle, ten-year-old Sally thinks she might be able to have a long dreamed of adventure. Settled into Palm Beach, the holiday is everything the family wish for: Mum and Dad relax with other campers, Del finds boys to flirt with and Carl plays games with his new mates. Only Sally complains that she is not having a real adventure.

Sally thinks she might find adventure by visiting the 'scary old lady' Jessie or by upsetting the 'snobby' Anderson family. But she eventually finds adventure when she storms out of the caravan concert and accidentally stumbles, landing on a cliff ledge.

Sally is alone and injured as night begins to fall. Luckily her departure was noticed by one of the Anderson boys and her location is discovered by Jessie's dog, Jimpy. Before long Sally is rescued and returns to the camp with an adventure all of her own.

Discussion questions

  • Why was Sally so keen for an adventure?
  • Why do you think the children at Palm Beach were scared of Jessie and her dog Jimpy? Why did Sally end up visiting Jessie on her own?
  • Why did Sally's family, and the other campers, think the Andersons were snobs?
  • Although Sally knew that her sister was flirting, she was very angry when Lynette called Del a flirt. Why?
  • What sort of person do you think Sally is? Do you think that you would like her if you met her?
  • How have beach holidays changed since the 1950s? How have they stayed the same?
  • What makes a good adventure story? Is Caravan Kids an adventure story?

More resources

> Interactive on the Pink Caravan
(requires Flash version 8, see link below)
> Classroom activities
> Purchase book


Making Tracks