He was walking fast, eating from his bag of hot chips as he went. Taking a detour via Reglan Street. The kind of street his parents had warned him never to be in. The kind of street where your footsteps echoed loud, too loud – because there was no one else about. Granted the dilemma of an asylum seeker from a ‘White List’ country, deemed to be safe but which isn’t, may need elucidating to a wider audience, yet while the novel is even-handed enough as between Protestant and Catholic viewpoints I struggled to see for what audience this could have been written, whom it was intended to educate. The book’s cover is emblazoned with the phrase “Carnegie Medal winning author” implying it’s for young adults. But young adults in Glasgow will know about sectarianism, those elsewhere likely not care (Northern Ireland excepted.) The incidental illustration of the usual parental restrictions on adolescent comings and goings do not expand the scope. Divided City’s earlier chapters reminded me of a certain kind of not very good Science Fiction which doesn’t trust its reader to make the connections, so too much is spelled out. And there is an overuse of exclamation marks. I would submit that YA readers deserve better. When I finished this book, I was a bit puzzled. I still couldn't understand, that the whole city is divided into two parts, having different religions, different traditions, different football teams... If there are so many differences, what connected these groups? Why there are living together?

Divided City by Theresa Breslin | WHSmith

Glasgow is a divided city. Catholics and Protestants; Celtic and Rangers. Stumble down the wrong street at night, and you might not find your way home again. This works because she creates characters we both believe in and like. From Kathleen, Joe's hairdressing auntie, to Mr Sinclair, who becomes more and more important to the boys, to Jammy, an unpredictable cousin with a violent streak - everyone is a rounded individual. At the end of Reglan Street nearest the playing fields, huge shadows danced. The outline of the hunters – distorted and elongated against the bright floodlights used for night games on the football pitches. Graham saw them gather together, become one monstrous creature, then break apart. Their twisted shapes thrown out ahead of them as they came. Seeking. Searching.This isn't a preachy novel, but if there is a message it's this: if we want to understand one another, perhaps the best way is through the young. The city, Glasgow, is what might one day unite the two sides, and enable them also to include the newcomers, the asylum seekers who have been added to the mix. A football team whose players include supporters of both the Greens and the Blues has got to be a good idea. Not Celtic or Rangers but Glasgow City. If he began to run the gang of boys would think he was running from them – might mistake him for the one they were after. His heart was hammering. He didn’t want involved in this.

DIVIDEDCITY - Education Scotland

One of the gang ran past Graham, shoving him roughly aside. His face shone with sweat and excitement.I cannot dislike the book, which keeps so precise and true descriptions and thoughts about my favourite game - football. The dialogs about it are brilliand, because they are very logical and they are written very competent, even though the author is a woman. It doesn`t prevent me from comprehension, that one of the tasks of penetration of this theme into the book is to make it attractive for such readers-fans as I and to focus through the football theme on other themes, opened in this book. How does this work link with the range of protected characteristics that are defined by the Equality Act (2010)?

Divided City - Wikipedia

Graham took his hands from his head. He stepped from the doorway onto the street. Went slowly forward to look at the huddled body lying on the ground. Beside the paper ball of his chip bag there was a puddle of liquid. Under the light of the street lamp it reflected dull red. It was seeping from below the body of the boy. Moving out towards Graham’s feet. The book is very easy to read. It has a good plot which moves along at a good pace. The book is well constructed and well written. The author uses language which is easy to understand without making the book simple and boring. A 'must read' for all teenagers and adults! How far as a school community do we challenge bigotry, prejudice and discrimination towards members, or presumed members, of a religious denomination? The six workshops cover an exploration of discrimination, the history of sectarianism and the impact of sectarianism on friendships and on individuals. It could be any street, in any city. But it's not. It's Glasgow. And it's May - the marching season. The Orange Walks have begun.

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Using this resource will offer learners the opportunity to explore sectarianism, the history, its impact and their own personal response. Divided City is a novel written by Theresa Breslin and published on 5 May 2005 by Doubleday. The novel is written for teenagers and adults concerning the problems of sectarianism in Glasgow and racism against asylum seekers. [1] A powerful, gripping story about friendship, prejudice and tolerance from multi-award-winning author Theresa Breslin. I mostly liked this book. It describes the story of two boys, who belong to different religions. Also they support different football teams.

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At first, I thought that Graham's character was too common, but then I realized that if it wasn't, Graham's evolution wouldn't seem so broad. However, I still think that such a marvelous book deserves better final. It is too simple and predictable. To my mind, it is so because this book is written for teenagers and in the end everybody should be happy. But the Orange Walks are beginning - the annual marches that bring the city's tensions to the surface. And Joe and Graham have to decide where their loyalties lie. Ultimately, these activities are designed to encourage young people to form their own points of view and feel able to respectfully challenge those with whom they disagree.At that moment noise and shouting erupted behind him, and Graham knew right away that he was in trouble. Graham pressed himself against the door, glad of his skinny frame. The remainder of the gang came down the street, veering onto the pavement as they spotted him. The thing that amazed me most is plenty and diversity of motifs, touched in this book, based on religious division. The definitions between Catholics and Protestants are considered in many spheres of the life, from the football tastes up to demonstrations and city sights. Essence of Glasgow is what this book is about. The cover speaks eloquently of the division in the city - Protestants on one side, Catholics on the other. It is a difference that spreads out from religious belief to take in every aspect of life: school, work, and most especially football. The Celtic/Rangers matches and the Orange marches highlight this gulf, and Breslin has cleverly and economically built her more intimate story of two friends around these more public events.