A Medal for Leroy Michael doesn’t remember his father, an RAF pilot lost in the war. And his French mother, heartbroken and passionate, doesn’t like to talk about her husband. But then Auntie Snowdrop gives Michael a medal, followed by a photograph, which begin to reveal a hidden history. It’s a story of love and loss and one that will change everything – and reveal to Michael who he really is...
The photograph ‘That was when Auntie Snowdrop’s words came back to me – “Always remember, Michael, it’s not the face that matters, not the skin, not the hair, it’s what lies beneath. You have to look deeper, Michael, behind. Look through the glass, through the photo, and you’ll find out who your papa really was.” I looked hard into Papa’s face, into his eyes, trying all I could to know the man behind the glass, behind the photo, behind the eyes…’
The hidden diary Telling you this, writing it down for you, Michael, because we all have a right to know who we are. I should have told you myself, faceto-face, a long time ago. Early on, when you were little, I always thought you were too young – or that was my excuse. And then as you grew up, I didn’t know how to tell you. I never had the courage, that’s the truth of it. I should have told your maman too, but I could never quite bring myself to do that either.’
The photograph ‘That was when Auntie Snowdrop’s words came back to me – “Always remember, Michael, it’s not the face that matters, not the skin, not the hair, it’s what lies beneath. You have to look deeper, Michael, behind. Look through the glass, through the photo, and you’ll find out who your papa really was.” I looked hard into Papa’s face, into his eyes, trying all I could to know the man behind the glass, behind the photo, behind the eyes…’
Storytelling challenge... Can you invent a story with a hidden clue for a character? Think of a story where a character needs a clue to help them. Perhaps: ● They need to find a hidden key ● The treasure is hidden somewhere ● They are not sure whom to trust Now think of a clue that they need to work out. Working with a partner, tell the story, including the character getting the clue and how they work out what it means.