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- Refugee Boy: the characters
Refugee Boy: the characters
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The characters show the different ways people respond to a young refugee: kindness, suspicion, cruelty and friendship.
Alem
Polite, thoughtful and intelligent. He is shocked by the violence and disrespect he meets in the care home.
He holds on to his father's values of peace and education, and grows stronger and more independent.
He holds on to his father's values of peace and education, and grows stronger and more independent.
Alem's father
Mr Kelo is a peace campaigner who loves his son deeply. His choice to leave Alem is an act of love.
His death shows the danger that follows refugees even to safety.
His death shows the danger that follows refugees even to safety.
The Fitzgeralds and others
Mr and Mrs Fitzgerald: caring foster parents.
Ruth: their daughter, who welcomes Alem.
Sweeney: a troubled boy from the children's home who bullies Alem at first; later he comes to respect and even defend him.
Alem's school friends help to campaign for him.
Ruth: their daughter, who welcomes Alem.
Sweeney: a troubled boy from the children's home who bullies Alem at first; later he comes to respect and even defend him.
Alem's school friends help to campaign for him.
How does Sweeney change?
- At first he bullies Alem in the children's home.
- He has his own difficult past.
- Later he respects and stands up for Alem.
Answer: He changes from bully to someone who respects and supports Alem.
Alem: polite, thoughtful, grows stronger. Mr Kelo: loving peace campaigner. The Fitzgeralds and Ruth: kindness. Sweeney: bully who comes to respect Alem. Friends: support his case.
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