Learning about ourselves and those around us
Perhaps the toughest challenge with teaching literature to modern students is convincing them that the extra effort required in reading a novel — compared with the passive immediacy of movies and TV shows — is worth it. Decoding the language and bringing the text to life in the imagination can be taxing for young adults so it’s perhaps not surprising that many of them see novels as works through which they have to slog to pass an examination.
These resources have been written with this reality in mind. Even though the language and settings of each of these novels are likely to be easily accessible to Grade 12 students, particular attention has been paid to providing the kind of context and insight necessary to help them fully empathise with the characters and their struggles.
We passionately believe that studying literature rewards us with a broader, deeper understanding of ourselves and those around us. That is why each of these resources does more than provide students with a comprehensive, detailed analysis of the text. It also encourages them to engage with the work on a personal level and to uncover their own responses through the extensive chapter-specific questions, enrichment tasks and essay topics.
Throughout each of these resources, students are challenged to agree or disagree with both the characters and events in the novel and the analysis provided. By formulating and expressing their own responses to the opinions, ideas and themes explored in each novel, students are encouraged to reflect and grow as individuals, as well as students.
The Handmaid’s Tale
The Complete Guide and Resource for Grade 12
Grade 12 (2022-24 Syllabus)
Challenging and provocative, Margaret Atwood’s iconic, unflinching novel remains a powerful, relevant exploration of the nature and meaning of power, freedom, equality and identity. Our comprehensive workbook-format resource features: an extensive introduction to the novel and its author; detailed summaries of every chapter; rich literary analyses; chapter-specific short questions and stimulating enrichment tasks with rubrics; together with an extensive examination-focused essay section that includes guidelines, annotated examples and challenging practice essay questions.
The Theory of Flight
The Complete Guide and Resource for Grade 12
Grade 12 (2022-24 Syllabus)
Hopeful, relevant and full of heart, Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu’s magical, joyous debut novel is an inspiring and uplifting choice of set work for matric learners. Our comprehensive workbook-format resource features: an extensive introduction to the novel and its author; detailed summaries of every chapter; rich literary analyses; chapter-specific short questions and stimulating enrichment tasks with rubrics; together with an extensive examination-focused essay section that includes guidelines, annotated examples and challenging practice essay questions.
Life of Pi
The Complete Guide and Resource
Recommended for Grades 10 & 11
Recommended for Grades 10 and 11, this 196-page resource features: an extensive introduction to the novel, its author and its historical background; detailed summaries of every chapter; rich literary analyses; chapter-specific short questions and stimulating enrichment tasks with rubrics, and an extensive examination-focused essay section.
The Dream House
The Complete Guide and Resource
Recommended for Grades 10 & 11
Our comprehensive workbook-format resource features: an extensive introduction to the novel and its author; detailed summaries of every chapter; rich literary analyses; chapter-specific short questions and stimulating enrichment tasks with rubrics; together with an extensive examination-focused essay section that includes guidelines, annotated examples and 20 challenging essay questions.
The Beneficiaries
The Complete Guide and Resource
Recommended for Grades 10 & 11
Recommended for Grades 10 and 11, this 196-page resource features: an extensive introduction to the novel, its author and its historical background; detailed summaries of every chapter; rich literary analyses; chapter-specific short questions and stimulating enrichment tasks with rubrics, and an extensive examination-focused essay section.
Americanah
The Complete Guide and Resource
Recommended for Grade 11
This comprehensive, 274-page workbook-format resource features: an extensive introduction to the novel, its author and its historical background; summaries of every chapter; rich literary analyses; chapter-specific short questions and stimulating enrichment tasks; together with an extensive examination-focused essay section that includes guidelines, annotated examples and 20 challenging essay questions.
Absolution
The Complete Guide and Resource
Recommended for Grade 11
Patrick Flanery’s debut novel, Absolution, is a bold, fresh literary work that explores themes and ideas that are particularly relevant to contemporary South Africans.
Our comprehensive, 264-page workbook-format resource features: an extensive introduction to the novel, its author and its historical background; detailed summaries of every chapter; rich literary analyses; chapter-specific short questions and stimulating enrichment tasks with rubrics; together with an extensive examination-focused essay section that includes guidelines, annotated examples and 20 challenging essay questions.