Web Quest Task

Reading My Arse! Ricky Tomlinson

Ricky’s book is about the power of music and how it can link to work and to places. It tells the story of Eric, a young musician from Liverpool, who goes on an adventure across the United States because of his passion for a song called ‘Rock Island Line’.

Music often tells us about peoples’ travels and the history of places. This is a strong theme in Ricky’s book.

Liverpool is a city which has always been linked to the sea to make its fortune. It is visited by people from all over the world, but some visitors in the past did not come from choice.

You will look at some websites and explore some links between America and Liverpool and the people who live there.

Your quest

Which American state has been used in the title of a sea shanty about Liverpool?

What to do

Read the short notes on the quest websites below. They tell you what to look for on each website. You will find the answer to your quest on the first website.

Have a look at the other websites too before you check your answer. Ask for help if you need it.

If you want to return to Quick Reads Ideas at any time close the new page you are in.

The quest websites

On this website you will find the lyrics to sea shanties. These were either written in Liverpool or they mention Liverpool. Eric may have heard some of these on his trip to New York and back again.
http://members.ispwest.com/ronsmith/liverpool/ss_index.htm

Click on the images on the map on this page to find out more about Liverpool’s links to America. http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/localhistory/journey/american_connection/index.shtml

The official Lead Belly website. http://www.leadbelly.org. After the opening page loads, click on the guitar to go to the home page. Lead Belly’s version of ‘Rock Island Line’ will then play. Listen to this before you explore more of the site. The column headed ‘Quotes’ on the right shows what Lead Belly’s music means to many people.

If you click on the ‘Archives Music/Photos’ tab at the top of the home page you will be able to view photos of Lead Belly and listen to more of his music.

Click on the ‘Lead Belly’ link on the home page. This will take you to a detailed biography of Lead Belly, his music and the folk history of which he is a part.
http://www.leadbelly.org

Click here for the web quest answer and more sites about music and Ricky Tomlinson.