The Saw Doctor, by Gary Crew

The Greenaway family are struggling to cope during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Dad is an unemployed carpenter and always grumpy. Mum works extremely hard to keep the family fed and cared for.

One day when Jo Boy is home from school sick, the Saw Doctor knocks on the door looking for work sharpening knives or tools. Despite their financial hardship, Mum finds enough money to have her scissors sharpened. When Dad is finally offered some building work, he cannot accept as his tools are too blunt.

In the meantime, Jo Boy goes yabbying and discovers the Saw Doctor's amazing wagon at a local park. When he returns his yabby net to its home under the house, he discovers some lead sinkers. He is able to sell the lead and take his father's tools to be sharpened by the Saw Doctor. Jo Boy learns about the saw doctor's philosophy in life, and wins the love and respect of his father.

• How did the Great Depression affect Jo Boy and his family?
• What did Jo Boy's mother have to do to keep her family clean and cared for? In what ways would her work be easier today?
• Describe Jo Boy's dad. How do you feel towards this character?
• What did Jo Boy and Jimmy think about the wagon when they first saw it? What might you think if you saw it in a local park?
• How did Jo Boy feel about the Saw Doctor when he first met him? How did Jo Boy's feelings change?
• What was the message of the Saw Doctor's poem?
• How do you think Jo Boy felt at the end of the book? Why?

> Interactive on the Saw Doctor's wagon
(requires Flash version 8, see link below)
> Classroom activities
> Purchase book