A Comprehensive Guide to Grade Seven Novella Strange Happenings

Introduction to the novella or novelette
How do you navigate the dynamics of the novella?
In primary School, you read various story books, class readers and comprehension passages
about various issues in our daily lives. The stories are always a reflection of what happens in our
society. Some stories can make you happy while others can make you feel sad. While some stories can fascinate you, others may horrify you. Valuable life lessons are embedded in the stories. Besides, one clear thing about the stories is that they are usually short. Although these stories may not be necessarily true, they represent the encounters of real life experiences in our
day-to-day life. Hence, expanding your reading resources can immensely enhance your knowledge, enrich your
insights and broaden your intellect. It is essential to dedicate your time and cultivate a habit of
reading a diverse range of books to learn more about various human experiences in life. As a
matter of fact, reading offers the opportunity to appreciate and share experiences, change
attitudes, correct behaviour, uphold moral rectitude and improve lives in a positive way. To
foster personal growth and broaden your horizons, consider using your leisure time to immerse
yourself in the world of literature. By reading, you will deepen your understanding of the world.
In Junior Secondary, you are going to read and learn more about an interesting but longer story:
the novella. Remember intensive reading promotes better writing. This guide will help you to
read interpretively, understand the text and enjoy your analysis of the novella.
A thorough analysis of the novella would require two broad aspects: intensive reading and
serious writing. After reading the novella text for your literary appreciation, you will need to
demonstrate deep understanding by writing a good essay.
The selected novella for your intensive reading section is Strange Happenings by Jennie
Marima, a prose fictional story published by One Planet. Jennie Marima is a young Kenyan
author who has published many storybooks in the children’s category including The High Road,
Super Sara, Just This One and Lost Baby.
Through a linear plot and its relatable characters, Mwawasi and his younger sister, Chao, you
will be glued from the beginning to the end to discover how the younger sibling becomes her
brother’s keeper despite the differences in their likes and dislikes: one gifted in academic
excellence while the other is endowed in sports.
However, there arises a problem and many more problems turning and twisting into strange
happenings. As you read to find out more about them, this Guide will help you.