The Feather WarsGordon Longwood

For schools and parents

Reading together

An animal adventure for readers aged 9 to 13, with plenty to talk about.

The Feather Wars is a story about fear, rumour and what happens when nobody asks how a quarrel began. It is also about friendship across old dividing lines, leaders who make mistakes, and the courage it takes to speak up. Each chapter is told by a different character, so readers see the same events from several sides.

It works well as a class reader or for a book group, and links naturally to local history and geography for schools near Valentines Park.

Discussion questions

For after reading. Some questions touch on the ending.

  1. Pip is used to being overlooked. How does being small help him in the story?
  2. Nobody in the park can remember how the feud between the gulls and the magpies began. Why do you think they kept fighting?
  3. Flint doesn’t behave the way foxes are expected to. Have you ever been expected to be a certain way?
  4. Captain Salt and Pica both know more than they say. Why might a leader hide their doubts?
  5. Corvin lays out every fact, but nobody listens. Why not? What does Pip understand that Corvin doesn’t?
  6. Which character surprised you most, and why?
  7. Chapter Nineteen is called “A Truce, Not a Friendship”. What is the difference?
  8. Find three places from the story on the map. Which would you most like to visit?
  9. If you could write one more chapter from any character’s point of view, whose would you choose?
  10. What do you think the second ring means?

School visits

Gordon Longwood is happy to hear from schools and libraries, especially in Redbridge and East London. Please get in touch through the contact page.