Flipping Fantastic - Form 1 Literature

FLIPPING FANTASTIC

Summary/Synopsis

This story is about twin brothers, Tristan and James, who are about to be separated and sent to different schools when they leave primary school for secondary school. They have mixed feelings about going to their new schools and are anxious about this. Besides being worried about their separation, they are also concerned about whether they can adapt to their new schools, especially without each other's help. Their mother, who loves them both dearly and cares about them, is equally anxious.


The climax occurs the day after the school play. Tristan and James react very differently to the school play. They both realise how much they depend on each other and how difficult it would be to adapt to their new schools on their own. Tristan is not sure whether to go with James to Highfields or to go to Chesterlea Grange on his own.


After some thought and discussion, Tristan, who is disabled, finally decides to go to a special school, that is, Chesterlea Grange, while James goes to Highfields. In the end, the twins find that their worries are unnecessary as they both adapt to and enjoy their new schools. The twins realise they have made the right decision and are both very happy in their new schools. Tristan describes his new school as fantastic...hence the title, Flipping Fantastic.

Main Characters

• Tristan

Tristan is the twin who has a physical disability. He moves around in a wheelchair and cannot walk or move his arms easily. He is also unable to dress himself or play football. Tristan is good in Maths and computers. He is also good in drama and acts very well as Tom Sawyer in the year-end school play. Although Tristan cannot play games, he is good at swimming.
Even though Tristan is disabled, he is emotionally stronger and more confident than James. However, Tristan is indecisive and changes his mind three times about going to his new school. He is also concerned about how James will manage without him and ask Kiara Jones to be James' 'special friend' and help him get used to his new school.

• James

James has no physical disability. He is good in sports and plays football. James hates drama and does not like Jessica Parker. He lives in fear of her and her 'stupid laugh'.
James is shyer and less confidence than Tristan. He is also more nervous and very worried about going to new school without Tristan. This is mainly because he is very dependent on Tristan. 

• Mum 

Mum is a loving, caring mother who supports her sons and wants the best for them.
She is very concerned about her sons and does not get upset even when Tristan changes his mind a couple of times about going to his new school.

Mum sees the good in both her sons and is extremely proud of them. She is a very determined mother and always has a positive attitude. Consequently, she does not like the negative word 'disability'.

The teachers

• Mr Sewell

         
         He is the twin's English and drama teacher. 
         Tristan likes him very much.

• Mrs Robert

         
         She is Tristan's favourite teacher in Peter Hill Primary. 
         She teaches Maths.

Schoolmates

• Kiara Jones

        Kiara plays football and Tristan arranges for her to be James' 

       'special friend' at Highfields to help him adapt to his 
        new school. 

        Both James and Tristan like her very much.

• Jessica Parker

        She is with the twins at Peter Hill Primary. 
        James does not like her and hates her 'stupid laugh'. 
        However, Tristan fells that she only laughs at James because
        she wants him to notice her.

Themes 

There are a themes in this story. They are:

   1.    The relationship between brothers

           Being twins, the two brothers are extremely close to each 
           other. 

           They depend on each other a lot and they fear 
           being separated.

   2.    The pain of separation 
           The twins experience the pain of separation when they have 
           to go to different schools.

   3.    Fear of change

           The twins fear change as they are very comfortable as they 
           are presently.
           They are worried as they know their lives will be very 
           different when they go to another school, especially if
           they go to different schools.

   4.    Mother's love
           The mother's love for her children is unlimited. 

           She is proud and supportive of both her sons. 

           She understands their characters well and 

           worries about them constantly. 

           She refuses to accept that Tristan has disabilities and 

           her attitudes helps Tristan carry on with life in a positive 

           manner.

   5.    Adapting to new environments
           The twins learn that they cannot fight change and they have 
           to adapt to their new environments.
           In the end, they find that they need not have worried as they 
           adapt to their new school quickly and are extremely happy 
           there.

Moral Values 

1. It is important to get co-operation and support from family
     members to make good decisions.
2. Parents who are patient and understanding can build a child's
     confidence and self-esteem.