The first issue that Colin faces is sibling rivalry. This is first shown when Colin’s brother Luke, gets what he wants for Christmas but Colin doesn’t (pg 2-6). Instead, he receives a pair of leather school shoes. Colin becomes jealous, annoyed and a bit upset. He shows spitefulness to Luke and tries to make his parents feel guilty. To make things worse, next thing he knows, Luke is getting to go on an ambulance truck (pg 7-8), then a helicopter (pg 23-26), but what Colin doesn’t realise is that the rivalry he shows towards Luke is blinding him from realising that Luke is really sick.
Colin first faces terminal illness when Luke becomes very sick on Christmas day. He finds out later that it’s cancer. Colin tries his best to find the best doctor in the world to help Luke (pg 34). He sends a letter to the Queen hoping for a response but this turns out unsuccessful (pg 60). Instead, he tries to break into Buckingham palace to talk to the Queen in person but he gets caught (pg 67-70). This is how Colin reacted to Luke’s illness and shows his determination to save him.
To tolerate, is to respect and put up with differences. Colin displays this to Ted. Ted is different in that he is gay. When Colin figures this out, he is a little shocked but more worried that anything. He was worried that Ted was beat up because he was gay; and he was right (pg 107-108). Colin wanted to prove that he didn’t mind this. While Ted was unable to visit his partner, Griff, Colin went instead (pg 114). Colin then gave Ted a wheelchair so that he could go himself (pg 115) and finally, Colin invited Ted over for dinner (pg 126).
From the evidence presented, it is clear that Morris Gleitzman has done an excellent job of talking about issues such as sibling rivalry, terminal illness and tolerance in a humorous way. It is a great way to get kids thinking about what is right and wrong.
Gleitzman, M. 1989. Two Weeks With The Queen.
Blackie and Son Ltd. Great Britain.