Street Child (play)
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originally published 1 January 2009
In 2000, Berlie Doherty wrote a play script version of her novel Street Child for the Collins Plays Plus series. Act 1, Scenes 5 and 6, covers the same events as in chapter four in the novel. The children can therefore compare the handling of the same storyline in two narrative genres.
There are seven speaking parts and a number of non-speaking parts, so the play is ideal for group reading or a whole-class performance.
This activity can be linked to the activity Street Child, extract from novel, which compares the novel with the play.
Before reading
- Discuss the title. What do the children think a ‘street child’ is? Which era do they think the play will be about?
- Look at the cast list. Why has the author chosen these characters? How will this affect the plot and setting?
- Set the extract into context. It is based on the true story of an orphan who inspired Doctor Barnado to set up his famous orphanage. The main character, Jim Jarvis, and his sick mother have come to the workhouse following the death of his father and his family’s eviction.
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Published 24 May 2017
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Reviews
Rated 4/5 from 20 ratings
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Dramatic persona
on 16 May 2017Street Child resources
Can't open the 'leaflets' for the script and extract.
This article has been updated and all content is now available for paid subscribers.
1 out of 5 -
evie
on 22 September 2015i love the book
I love the book but I haft to finish the it yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5 out of 5 -
Emily
on 18 October 2014The street child
I like this book because there adventures sound fun.
5 out of 5 -
Patricia
on 17 October 2013Street Child Play
Can't open any of your resiurces
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Katie fletcher
on 8 November 2012Street child
I love the book it is just sooo hooking to me.
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emily
on 26 September 2012review
this book is really good but i haved finshed it yet reading it with the class. it very depressing in a good way i will finsh this when have finshed the book.
5 out of 5 -
charmaine rosa
on 18 November 2011i love street child
i think street child is a good story
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ploddy
on 25 September 2011street child
Cannot download the text
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kyle greenhill
on 2 February 2011street child
please work
Fracat
on 5 July 2017
Novel activities
I'm a subscriber but still can't open either of the leaflets for the script and the extract. Help!
Hi Fracat, the extracts that are referred to in the above lesson plan can be found chapter 4 of the novel and Act 1, Scene 5 and 6 of the script, (Plays Plus series published by Collins). Best wishes, Primary Resource Bank team.