"A crashing sound cut off his answer. The foliage behind the troop shook and exploded. A huge gorilla, almost twice the size of the next biggest, shot headlong into the clearing. His back was a slab of muscle dusted in silver fur. It shimmered as he jockeyed sideways, carrying the momentum of a small car." - Cloudburst by Wilbur Smith and Chris Wakling

Download: KS2 Cloudburst Teaching Resource

This resource pack is designed for 9-11 year olds to read, discuss and write creatively on the topics raised in Cloudburst. We have also created two video resources to be streamed online, where young readers and writers had the chance to ask co-author Chris Wakling all about Cloudburst and his top writing tips. 

The four lessons in the pack include feature extracts from the text and corresponding discussion questions and activities. The tasks included focus on conservation; adventure writing; teamwork; and betrayal. 

The four lessons can be used as exercises to be dipped in and out of, or to support the curriculum in subjects including Literacy; Geography; PSHE; RSHE; Drama; and Design, Art and Technology.

Cloudburst follows the youngest member of the Courtney family, fourteen-year-old Jack, who has lived in the UK his whole life. But this summer his parents are travelling to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for a conference, and they’ve promised to take Jack and his friends with them. When his parents go missing, abducted by mercenaries, nobody seems to have any answers. Jack is sure that it’s got something to do with the nearby tantalum mines, but he needs to prove it. Along with Amelia and Xander, Jack must keep his wits about him to save his parents – and his own life too.

Video Resources: 

Once upon a time, Chris Wakling drove tractors, painted ceilings and argued with lawyers for a living, but he always preferred stories, and since 2001 he’s mostly been writing them. He’s written six novels for adults. He also writes about travel and teaches writing, and when he’s not doing that, or wrestling with his children, he reads or rides his bike. These videos were created with support from our friends at Pen to Print. 

Watch Part I: 

Watch Part II: