A circle of support

Leon is a young boy whose life changes when he and his baby brother, Jake, are separated. While Leon hopes they will be together again, he has to make sense of a new home and unfamiliar adults. Maureen cares for Leon in her home. Her steady attention helps him adjust to the unfamiliar setting. This does not make his worries disappear: he still misses Jake and has questions about what will happen next. Maureen’s role is to care for Leon while he is facing uncertainty. Other people around Leon affect how he experiences this difficult time. Tufty is one of the people he encounters, while Carol is involved in the decisions and arrangements affecting the children. Their roles are not the same as Maureen’s: one person may offer company or a different point of view, while another may represent the adults and systems making decisions. Leon’s journey is shaped by more than one relationship. Caring adults can help him feel protected, but they cannot simply undo the separation. As Leon responds to each person, readers can notice what he needs, what he fears and where he finds comfort. To analyse a supporting character, look closely at what that person does, how Leon reacts and how the relationship affects his feelings or choices.