THE HEROIC LIFE OF AL CAPSELLA  use of a range of strategies to influence
by Judith Clarke audiences
Al Capsella wants to be cool, to fit in with the
other teenagers in his neighbourhood. And
part of fitting in is to be like all the others - to
be "normal". But despite his heroic efforts Al
faces a crippling pair of obstacles, his
PARENTS.
Mr and Mrs Capsella are not just uncool; they
are a complete embarrassment to their
fourteen-year old son. First off, they
christened him ALMERIC, not something
fashionable, like Brett or Scott, and now they
just won't conform to what Al and all his pals
know are "normal" parents.
Al wants parents who are: "Perfectly ordinary and unobtrusive, quiet and
orderly, well-dressed and polite, hardworking and as wealthy as
possible. They should be seen and not heard. And PREFERABLY NOT
SEEN VERY MUCH AT ALL!"
Along with schoolmates like Louis, Al has his own plans for surviving the
abnormal antics of parents, grandparents and teachers. But in the end Al
discovers that being really normal is the weirdest thing of all.
Through this novel study all students must
develop and demonstrate:
 chapter summaries, character studies and
glossary are complete and identify key
ideas/issues/words
 identification of the ideas, themes and issues
in the text
 personal reflections on challenging themes
and issues
 development of extended personal responses
 provide supporting detail
 edit writing for clarity, coherence and
consistency of style, and proofread and correct
spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors
 critically evaluate spoken language of others
Tuning In
Before reading
1. What does it mean to be ‘normal’?
2. Write a fictional or reflective journal entry that
demonstrates how you may have been embarrassed
by your family - at least half a page.
Whilst reading
3. Start a list of characters from the novel. Include a
picture of what you think the character would look like
and a direct quote from the novel describing each
character.
4. Summarise each chapter as you read – either in
full sentences or in dot points. Include at least one
direct quote from each chapter.
5. Start a glossary of terms that are new to you or
that you are unsure of. Add to this throughout the
novel study.
Finding Out
Chapter Questions
6. Who is Al’s best friend? What
impression do we have of him from the
first chapter?
7. What do we learn about Mrs Capsella
from the incident at the school?
8. What drives Al’s ambition to be ‘normal’?
9. How do characters such as The Shadow and Dr
Spinner help to highlight Al’s story? What other
characters play similar roles in the story?
10. In chapter 8, Al and Mrs Capsella are getting ready
for Parent/Teacher interviews. Re-write this exchange
from Mrs Capsella’s point of view.
Going Further
Creative response
Choose one of the following tasks:
a. Design some fashion ensembles for Mrs Capsella
using items she may have purchased from an op
shop. Make a poster displaying your favourite
outfit.
b. Write a journal entry that depicts Al’s time with
his grandparents differently – imagine the ways
he might destroy the normalcy of their daily
lives.
c. Al has grown up and has children of his own.
Write a week’s diary entries of the difficulties his
children face.
d. Negotiate your own creative task with
Ms Waayers.
Speak Out Presentation
Choose one of the following tasks:
a. You are to write a book review – choose
an audience of Year 8 teachers, or a
Year 8 class (think of how each audience would
require different information).
b. In a small group, script and perform a role play
depicting someone in your family coming into
your classroom to embarrass you.
c. Choose a teen issue to research and present to
the class.
d. Negotiate your own Speak Out task with Ms
Waayers.
Taking Action
Extended Response
Choose one of the following tasks to write a
structured essay, using the TEEL plan.
1. “Since I’ve gone on to High School, being normal
has become a matter of importance…” (pg.4)
What are the challenges faced by Al and all
other High School students?
2. “Is there something the matter with
them?” I asked gently. (pg. 110)
Can Al ever be normal when the people he
is surrounded by all have ‘something the
matter with them’?
3. “You don’t have to tell me everything sixty
times,” I complained. “I’m not a baby.” (pg.
113)
How does this book demonstrate a right of passage
into adulthood?