Lit final

Chapter book

A chapter book or chapterbook is a story book intended for intermediate readers, generally age 7-10. Unlike picture books for beginning readers, a chapter book tells the story primarily through prose, rather than pictures. Unlike books for advanced readers, chapter books contain plentiful illustrations.

antagonist

A character or force in conflict with the main character

round character

A character who demonstrates some complexity and who develops or changes in the course of a work

Robert E. Lee Ewell (Bob)

A drunken, mostly unemployed member of Maycomb's poorest family. In his knowingly wrongful accusation that Tom Robinson raped his daughter, Ewell represents the dark side of the South: ignorance, poverty, squalor, and hate-filled racial prejudice.

verse novel

A full-length fictional work that is novelistic in nature but written in verse rather than prose

picture book

A picture book is a book, typically for children, in which the illustrations are as important as (or even more important than) the words in telling the story.

Arthur "Boo" Radley

A recluse who never sets foot outside his house, Boo dominates the imaginations of Jem, Scout, and Dill. He is a powerful symbol of goodness swathed in an initial shroud of creepiness, leaving little presents for Scout and Jem and emerging at an opportune moment to save the children. An intelligent child emotionally damaged by his cruel father, Boo provides an example of the threat that evil poses to innocence and goodness. He is one of the novel's "mockingbirds," a good person injured by the evil of mankind.

rising action

A series of events that builds from the conflict. It begins with the inciting force and ends with the climax.

coming of age story

A tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood. The character may develop understanding via disillusionment, education, doses of reality, or any other experiences that alter his or her emotional or intellectual maturity

In four books- Maniac Magee, the Crossover, The Outsiders, and To Kill a Mockingbird- characterization is stongly developed for the male characters expecially. Identify one male character from each of these books and describe how each author develops the character into a figure that plays a major role in the unfolding of the plot.

In Maniac Magee, there's several characters we could focus on- Maniac, MarsBar, Grayson, etc. I'm going to focus here on Grayson. Grayson is the type of character who seems insignificant at first, but ends up playing a huge role in Maniac's life. When we first meet Grayson, he seems kind of distant and uninvolved- not wanting to talk about himself, staying stern and quiet, however, despite his cold exterior, we see a caring and gentle side of him through his actions of caring for Maniac. Because of the care he showed Maniac right off the start, we can see him become more of a patriarchal figure as they start seeing more and more of eachother and become friends. Soon enough, Maniac gets him to talk, and we find out that Grayson and Maniac are actually quite similar. And they bond over baseball, which we know Maniac has a knack for from previous experiences. When Maniac shares his love for books with Grayson we see another aspect of his character- his inability to read, this gives us a glimpse of his family life in which his parents didn't care enough to even know if he could read, and we know Maniac can relate to that feeling. So Maniac begins teaching Grayson how to read and soon enough this baseball-orientated friendship becomes so much more and deeper. Grayson eventually starts living with maniac and they even start their own little Christmas traditions together as a make-shift family, until he tragically dies, leaving Maniac with even more of a hole in his heart but a strong lesson that pain can find you anywhere- no sense of running away from your problems. In the Crossover, the character of Chuck Bell, the father is very well characterized. He is the kind of character who we subtly get to know more and more of as the story moves along. He starts out as this adorable, playful father who pushes his sons towards basketball glory using his own background as a platform to help them. He was a basketball star in his college days and made his way through a European league, college league, and even the Olympics- he was so good, in fact, that he was asked to try out for the Lakers. However, it is revealed that he is deathly afraid of doctors due to past experiences with his own loss of loved ones. So rather than trying out for the Lakers (which required him to get knee surgery), he retired young. Now, he's a stay at home dad and always makes time to play ball with his sons everyday, send them inspirational basketball lessons (which carries out as a reoccurring theme through the whole book), and shows his family love in different ways all the time. All in all, it's hard for the reader not to love Chuck Bell right back, however, he does have a flaw- he's extremely stubborn. Despite his wife's best efforts, he won't change his eating habits or go to the doctor. So his medical condition gets worse and worse until it was finally too late, and he was dying. The Outsiders is filled with great male characters. The character I'm going to focus on is Dallas Winston. I think Dallas' character is especially interesting because our perception of him changes throughout the story as Ponyboy's perception changes. He is originally seen as the one bad kid from out of town who comes into the gang and almost takes them to a whole new level of "bad". He's more dangerous than the other greasers and takes pride in his criminal record. So, we, the readers, and Ponyboy naturally distance ourselves a bit from Dally. However, as the book continues, we see this connection between Dally and Johnny. Dally feels protective of Johnny and Johnny sees Dally as a hero. With this we see a soft spot in Dally's cold exterior, and when Johnny and Ponyboy get in trouble, Dally doesn't ask questions, he's just there for them. He acts quickly and stays true to his word, he really got their backs in this situation and made sure to do everything he could to help them out (including giving them money, his jacket, and a place to stay). Later on, we see a new perception of Dallas through Johnny's eyes in which he's "gallant", and after thinking through it I would agree with Johnny, in that although Dally's been through some dark times, and struggles with staying out of trouble, he's a loyal brave friend who would do anything for the people he loves, no matter what the cost is. We see this come to life in the fire when he goes in to help despite all his grumbling- because deep down he's a loyal friend, and a good guy. We also see how sensitive he is as Johnny tragically dies, and how it pushes him over the edge and sends him into a self-destructive flurry of events leading to his own death. With all of this character development, we are left with feeling so sorry for Dally, he's a good guy that's just gone through too many hard and difficult situations in his life with no better output ahead of him other than crime and gang life which ended up getting him killed himself. And finally, in TKM, the male character I am most drawn to is of course Atticus. I actually found some similarities in Atticus' character and Chuck Bell in which they are both sources of moral lessons throughout the book, they are both incredible fathers who have patience and kindness and support for their children, and they are both stubborn. Atticus is stubborn in the fact that once he sets his mind to something, he does it. He set his mind on representing Tom Robinson, he knew that it was the right thing to do and wouldn't let anyone else convince him otherwise. Atticus' character grows to be such a great example of moral justice and equality as the book goes on. He begins with little lessons he teaches to Scout about empathy and treating people fairly and equally. But ends up showing the true meaning of these lessons by his own actions in the trial. He stands up for racial equality in a time that definitely didn't welcome it. And he taught and practiced the idea of putting yourself into someone elses shoes through the entirety of the book- which in turn reels back to the lesson learned about what it means to kill a mockingbird. Without Atticus, Scout would have never been able to learn the powerful lessons taught in this book, and we would have been just reading about a tomboy girl who gets in fights at school.

Reverend Sykes

- Minister at the black church that Calpurnia takes the children to - Admires Atticus for defending Tom - Sits on balcony with children at the trial

Mayella Ewell

- accuses Tom Robinson of raping her - lives in a dump but has pretty red geraniums - thinks Atticus is making fun of her when he calls her ma'am

Heck Tate

- sheriff of Maycomb - a decent man, but a major witness in Tom's trial

literature

- written work such as fiction, poetry, or drama... it provides both pleasure and understnading.

tone

A writer's attitude toward his or her subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language, and organization on the sentence and global levels.

Alexis "sweet tea"

Alexis is Jordan's first girlfriend. She captures his attention on the first day of school, and their relationship fuels the conflict between the Bell brothers for most of the novel. Josh describes her as 'pulchritudinous,' a sophisticated word for attractive. He also dubs her "Miss Sweet Tea," a dismissive nickname that shows how much he dislikes her new power over his brother. She's a new student at the brothers' school Like the Bell brothers, she enjoys basketball, and the Bell brothers see her at their local community center basketball court.

James "Hands" Down

All-Star Wide Receiver who Maniac intercepted the ball from.

Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose

An elderly, ill-tempered, racist woman who lives near the Finches. Although Jem believes that Mrs. Dubose is a thoroughly bad woman, Atticus admires her for the courage with which she battles her morphine addiction.

risky subjects/topics

Anything that might do the following: 1. frighten or corrupt children by introducing them to topics they shouldn't know about 2. confuse children by representing values that are not accepted in the homes of mainstream america 3. cause distress for children by identifying racism or sexism as social problems.

aunt alexadra

Aunt Alexandra is so different from her easy-going brothers Atticus and Jack that Scout wonders if she was switched at birth with another family's baby. She's kind of woman who wears a corset even under her bathrobe. (You know the type. Right? Okay, anyway.) Scout compares her to Mount Everest: "throughout my early life, she was cold and there" (9.36). And whenever Scout expresses a desire to do something Aunty believes is Not Done By Finches, she's down on her niece like an avalanche. She had said Indeed Not, but this time she would give her reasons: "But I want to play with Walter, Aunty, why can't I?" She took off her glasses and stared at me. "I'll tell you why," she said. "Because—he—is—trash, that's why you can't play with him. I'll not have you around him, picking up his habits and learning Lord-knows-what." (23.86-87) Aunty sees the Finch name like an exclusive brand: it's valuable when you can only find it at Bloomingdale's, but make it available at Wal-Mart and it'll seem cheap. Aunt Alexandra's obsession with "What Is Best For the Family" (13.22)—in Scout's ears, Aunty often speaks in Capital Letters Of Doom—is part of her more general way of classifying people by family heritage. Aunt Alexandra, in underlining the moral of young Sam Merriweather's suicide, said it was caused by a morbid streak in the family. Let a sixteen-year-old girl giggle in the choir and Aunty would say, "It just goes to show you, all the Penfield women are flighty." Everybody in Maycomb, it seemed, had a Streak: a Drinking Streak, a Gambling Streak, a Mean Streak, a Funny Streak. (13.26) Her obsession with Family Streaks suggests an underlying belief that Family is Destiny—and that Finches are Destined to be Superior. But she uses that Destiny as a metaphorical club to beat Scout into line with. The Finch Grand Destiny apparently only holds true so long as Finch family members Live Up To It, and Scout's lack of concern for the Dignity of her Heritage could damage the Family Standing. (Looks like Capital Letters Of Doom are Contagious.)

cherry valance

Bob's girlfriend, she is a Soc cheerleader whom Ponyboy meets at the movies. Cherry's real name is Sherri, but people call her Cherry because of her red hair. Ponyboy and Cherry have a great deal in common, and Ponyboy feels comfortable talking to her. Cherry is both offended and intrigued by her encounter with Dally Winston at the drive-in. Cherry admires Dally's individuality and tells Ponyboy that she could fall in love with Dally. In the days preceding the rumble, Cherry becomes a spy for the greasers.

theme

Central idea of a work of literature

charlotte

Charlotte is Wilbur's best friend. Oh, and she's a spider—specifically, a common barn spider, technical name Araneus cavaticus. (Guess that's where her last name comes from.) But Charlotte isn't just any spider: she's the spider who sticks by Wilbur through thick and thin. And she's the kind of spider who can write words in a web, which is seriously awesome. Finally, she's the spider who does the impossible and saves Wilbur's life.

bob sheldon

Cherry's boyfriend. Bob is the dark-haired Soc who beats up Johnny before the novel begins. Bob has a set of three heavy rings, which he wears when he fights greasers. Bob's indulgent parents have never disciplined him.

Mars Bar Thompson

Don't lie: when you first met Mars Bar, didn't you think he was going be the bad guy? He's got all the right attributes: a huge ego, can be a little mean, seems to hate our hero. They even go head to head in their very first meeting: "Maniac blinked and stepped back. The kid stepped forward. They traveled practically half a block that way" (10.21). So Bad He's Good So, where does the "good" part come in? It takes a while, but eventually Mars shows his softer side. That's not too surprising. What is surprising is that this good side only appears after Maniac drags him into the McNab house for maybe the worst birthday party ever. We don't exactly know why, but it probably has something to do with Mars figuring out that Maniac is like the other white kids. He's brave and kind, and so he and Mars find common ground out in the early-morning streets. They stop racing each other and end up running alongside each other instead: Morning after morning it happened this way—the two of them dovetailing at an intersection, and, without the slightest hitch in stride, cruising off together. Though each face showed no awareness of the other, they were in fact minutely sensitive to each other. (44.10) This is just what Maniac needs: someone to run with him and to make sure he's not alone. And this is also what Mars needs: someone who challenges him, someone he knows he can't beat with some trash talk and just a little effort. It's even better that he and Maniac don't love each other from the get go: they earn their friendship. Now With More Glucose! It's not just the candy bar. It's the attitude, the shuffle, and the nickname. Like Maniac, Mars is a legend in his own right. For Pete's sake, he can stop traffic! On both sides of town! Not only did he shamble, jive, shuck and hipdoodle at his own sweet pace, he did something he had never even done in the East End—he came to a complete and utter halt halfway across and let nothing but the evil in his eyes take care of the rest. (41.14) We've never seen Maniac do that. Just sayin'. But wait, Mars Bar ends the story not just as Mars, but as Mars Bar/Snickers, after Amanda changes his nickname, saying "'How bad can you act if everybody's calling you'—she said it loud—'Snickers?'" (46.12) So Amanda figures out what Maniac already has: Mars has the attitude, the shuffle, the nickname, but he's also just a boy who's worried enough about his friend in the buffalo pen that he wakes Amanda up in the middle of the night. That's right, Snickers has a heart. (Is it the creamy caramel topping?)

Dr. Crystal Bell

Dr. Bell is Jordan and Josh's mom.Dr. Bell is a caring mother who encourages her sons and keeps them on the right track. She comes to every game, even though she doesn't have the same passion for basketball as her husband and sons. She's an assistant principal at her sons' school. This makes her a strict disciplinarian, particularly when Josh ends up in her office. Dr. Bell shows her love for her husband through her increasing concern for his health. Though he brushes off her worries, she tries her best to make him realize the seriousness of his medical scares.

Fern Arable

Fern is a little girl who grows up right before our eyes. (We gab about growing up in the "Coming of Age" theme. Go check it out and then join us back here.) Seriously, during the course of the novel, she goes from a bona fide kid to a—well, we're thinking the technical word for it is "tween." Our point is, Fern seems like she's going to be Wilbur's very best friend. But in the end, she grows up and finds other human friends of her own. This has us wondering: is growing up really so great after all?

Newbery Award

Given to the outstanding book for children or young adults published in America

Chuck Bell

He is a former superstar basketball player who now works as a stay-home dad. He was a phenom in college, played exceptionally well in the Olympics, and led his European League team to victory as a rookie. He was invited to try out for the LA Lakers. However, he declined the opportunity because in order to keep playing basketball, he would have been required to have knee surgery. Mr. Bell is deathly afraid of doctors. Despite not trying out for the Lakers, he's semi-famous, particularly for the basketball nerds who pester him for autographs. He's a dedicated father who believes strongly in his sons' potential. Like Dr. Bell, he comes to every game and cheers voraciously for his sons. He's as much of a factor in their basketball careers as their coaches. He texts them inspiration and basketball tips, and every day, he makes time to play with them in their backyard, their community center, or the gym at their church. Mr. Bell does not prioritize his own needs. Because of past negative experiences with doctors, he refuses to make a medical appointment even when he begins experiencing worrisome dizzy spells. Furthermore, he's stubborn. Even though his family has a history of hypertension, he continues to eat unhealthily despite his wife's best efforts to improve his diet.

Hector Street

Hector Street is more than the address of Cobble's Corner. It is thedividing line between the East and West Ends. In other words? It divides the black side of town from the white side. We first find this out when the Cobras are chasing Maniac. He's running, running, running and suddenly notices that "the voices behind him were growing faint. He slowed, turned, stopped. They were lined up at a street a block back. They were still yelling and shaking their fists, but they weren't moving off the curb. And now they were laughing. Why were they laughing?" (9.14) The Cobras are laughing because they're pretty sure Maniac is about to get his behind whooped by the black kids living in Hector Street. And this little incident shows us how much power Hector Street holds. When both Mars and his crew, and Big John and his gang, are following Maniac out of town, the middle of Hector street is the only safe place: "So he turned and started walking north on Hector, right down the middle of the street, right down the invisible chalk line that divided East End from West End." (21.11) Maniac is stuck in the middle, literally and figuratively. The only place he's safe is the no man's land in the middle of the road, with cars honking at him from both directions. But that doesn't sound too safe to us. Can he really stay stuck in the middle forever?

Kim Ha

Hà is our main girl in Inside Out and Back Again, the poet whose words we read as she goes from enjoying her free time in Saigon to—after much trial and tribulation—finally starting to settle into life in the United States, all thanks to the Vietnam War. She might only be ten years old, but Hà sees a lot in the year this book covers, and it's safe to say that she's wise beyond her years. Spice For someone so nice, Hà has a feisty side to her. She likes to compete and feel smart, and when she doesn't, well, she's not exactly one to just sit back and let things slide. So when she is totally annoyed by her brothers, instead of kissing up or making nice in hopes of getting them to treat her better, she writes: I can't make my brothers Go live elsewhere, but I can hide their sandals. (1.3.5) It's classic younger sibling behavior, right? We're guessing Hà's not familiar with the old phrase you kill more flies with honey. Considering that they each only have one pair of shoes and it's hot out, this sneaky little scheme becomes a real pain in the foot, so it's no wonder her brothers don't respond by showering her with kindnesses. The thing about Hà, though, is that she doesn't just act out to get revenge on her pesky older brothers—she does it to feel a sense of power at school, too. For instance, when she is working away on a math problem in school one day, and the siren interrupts her by going off, she tells us: I'm mad and pinch the girl who shares my desk. Tram is half my size, so skinny and nervous. Our mothers are friends. She will tell on me. She always tells on me. (1.18.4) It seems like Hà pinches Tram because the siren interrupting her is the last straw in a long line of small moments in which Hà feels powerless, not because Hà is actually mean or anything, though Tram might not agree. So while Hà pesters her brothers in a pretty standard fashion, when she pinches Tram we are reminded that Hà has had more hardship and unfairness than most other children—so much, in fact, that a siren going off during a math problem is enough to make her boil over for a moment. Sugar Hà isn't always feisty, however, and she can also be sweet, kind, thoughtful, and observant. For instance, when Khoi's dead (and totally rotting) chick is found and taken from him, he is freaking out and totally depressed. His sister recognizes his pain (instead of, say, being grossed out that he's been hiding a dead chick), and does the following: I hold his hand:Come with me. He doesn't resist. [...] Inside lies my mouse-bitten doll, her arms wrapped around the limp fuzzy body of his chick. I tie it all into a bundle. (2.7.5) Hà takes her doll—pretty much the only personal belonging she was able to take from Saigon when they left—and she wraps it around the dead chick, then throws the bundle into the ocean. That fact that Hà sacrifices her own comfort object to comfort her brother is a remarkably thoughtful and humble act, and one that shows maturity beyond her ten years. So while she might hide her brothers' shoes, she also really loves them, and is willing to do whatever she can to make sure they know it. And Everything Nice Though she has a hard time accepting the incredible changes her life goes through, by the end of the book, things are looking up for Hà. She and her family are in their own home, kids are being nicer to her at school, and she's regained a sense of hope for her future. So though Hà has seen more than her fair share of hardship during the past year, including moving halfway around the world and confirmation of the death of her father, her resilience is undeniable, which should only serve her well going forward.

charles baker harris

Jem and Scout's summer neighbor and friend. Dill is a diminutive, confident boy with an active imagination. He becomes fascinated with Boo Radley and represents the perspective of childhood innocence throughout the novel.

johnny cade

Johnny Cade is a vulnerable sixteen-year-old greaser in a group defined by toughness and a sense of invincibility. He comes from an abusive home, and he takes to the greasers because they are his only reliable family. While Johnny needs the greasers, the greasers also need Johnny, for protecting him gives them a sense of purpose and justifies their violent measures. When Johnny, little and vulnerable, suffers at the hands of the Socs, the greasers feel justified in their hatred of the rival gang. Passive and quiet, Johnny is the principal catalyst for the major events of the novel. He stands up to Dally at the drive-in and tells him to stop harassing the two Soc girls, Cherry and Marcia. Johnny's intervention on the girls' behalf pleases the girls, and they talk and walk with the greasers. This interaction between female Socs and male greasers sparks the anger of the Soc boys and motivates them to attack Johnny and Ponyboy. Ultimately, Johnny's small acts of courage lead to murder, death, and heroic rescue. But Johnny ends by advocating against gang violence, stating that he would gladly sacrifice his life for the lives of little children. Although a gentle boy, he has a profound impact with his startling, persistent demand for peace. His courage in rescuing the children from the burning church and his subsequent death as a result of injuries sustained in the rescue make him a martyr. Ponyboy's decision to write the story that becomes The Outsiders ensures that Johnny's bravery will not be forgotten

Jordan Bell

Jordan is Josh's twin brother. Though the boys share some similarities, Jordan is definitely his own person, and he's committed to making sure Josh knows that.Though Jordan and Josh have a strong bond on and off the court, However, Jordan is comfortable striking out on his own. While Josh values family time over everything else, Jordan is equally happy with his new friends. Jordan prioritizes his own fun. For example, Jordan loves making bets, particularly high stakes ones. Though he's passionate about basketball, he's not as committed to improving his game as his twin brother. When given the chance, he'd prefer to hang out with friends, or even better, his new crush, "Miss Sweet Tea.

Josh Bell

Josh is the 12-year-old narrator of The Crossover. His two loves are family and basketball, and his life is full of opportunities to combine them. For example, his dad, a former college player, has trained Josh ever since he could hold a basketball. Along with his brother Jordan, Josh plays on a highly competitive team with the potential to dominate the championships. Josh's confidence shines through when he describes his basketball skills. He's a forward with a fantastic crossover, whose skills earn him the nickname "Filthy McNasty" (a moniker he hates at first, but eventually embraces.) His confidence translates into success on the court, and he anticipates a college and NBA career. However, Josh isn't just a basketball player. He's passionate about music, particularly his dad's oldies and contemporary rap artists, particularly Wade and Lil Wayne. His love for rhythm is evident in his poems, which often mimic the fast and frenetic pace of a basketball game. He's dedicated to school, even though some classes, especially math, give him a bit of trouble. Above all, Josh's defining characteristic is his love for his family. Josh enjoys his brother's company before than anyone else's, even though Jordan can be too much of jokester sometimes. He's close with both his mom and dad, and he treasures his time with them. Josh can be insecure. At the beginning of the novel, he's proud of his looks, particularly his dreadlocks. However, after he loses them because of a bad bet with Jordan, he's devastated. He's also not as suave and self-assured as Jordan, who's more able to talk with girls and branch out from his family circle. Josh can also be temperamental. During a regular game, he lets his temper get the best of him and viciously whips the ball at Jordan's face. This results in several important games. Like many middle schoolers, Josh is still developing his ability to control himself and talk through issues instead of letting them simmer.

Walter Cunningham Jr.

Jr. One of Scout's classmates. Jem invites him to have lunch with them after Scout accosts Walter on the playground.

Homer L zuckerman

Mr. Zuckerman is Fern's uncle. She figures he's going to take good care of her little Wilbur. But it turns out Mr. Zuckerman is also a man with a plan: he buys Fern's sweet little pig, feeds it lots of yummy food, and then figures he'll eventually turn the pig into bacon. Yikes! Thankfully, just like John Arable, Mr. Zuckerman eventually changes his mind and decides Wilbur can live. Phew! In fact, Mr. Zuckerman doesn't just decide that the pig should live, he also decides that this is a pig to show to the world. He's the main force behind publicizing Charlotte's wordy webs. It's his idea to get the newspaper reporters and photographers out to the farm. And he has Lurvy paint a crate with "Zuckerman's Famous Pig" so he can show Wilbur off at the fair. Sounds to us like Mr. Zuckerman might be nearly as good at publicizing his amazing pig as our dear Charlotte.

multicultural literature

Literature that represents any distinct cultural group through portrayal and rich detail.

Lurvy

Lurvy works on the Zuckerman farm, so you know that he's going to be in on all the action surrounding the miraculous spider web. On the one hand, this means Lurvy is pulling some long hours to keep Wilbur looking good and clean: "Having such an important pig was going to mean plenty of extra work, he could see that" (13.21). Lurvy sure is a hard worker. But on the other hand, Lurvy also gets plenty of attention from all of Wilbur's admirers. In fact, he gets more public attention than some of the other characters, like Charlotte. This means Lurvy gets gussied up for the audience: "Lurvy shaved and got a haircut; and his principal farm duty was to feed the pig while people looked on" (11.40). Sounds like Lurvy has become more than a farmer; now he's a performer, too.

protagonist

Main character in a story

Two Mills

The town Maniac ran to and stayed

Miss Scott

Miss Scott is Hà's new American teacher, and though she seems to mean well, she also has no idea about how to help Hà—a refugee—settle into her classroom. She humiliates Hà in front of everyone several times, and basically does nothing to help her situation.

Mrs. Beale

Mrs. Beale provides everything that Maniac has been missing ever since his parents died: unconditional support, encouragement and love. That doesn't mean that she indulges him no matter what, however. Maniac learns this lesson when he directs a little smack talk in Mrs. Beale's direction. A real mom will let you know when you've messed up, and Mrs. Beale does, right away. But what really shows us what a true family they've become is the way that both of them react to Mrs. Beale's actual smackdown: Her lip started to quiver before his, but before she could say 'I'm sorry,' he was hugging and squeezing her and burying his face in her chest and sobbing, 'I love you...I love you...' (15.19) So we know Mrs. Beale feels unconditional love, and we know that Maniac understands what this means: a real parent will teach you what's right, and teach you what's wrong, and keep you on the right path. And they will always, always love you.

Miss Washington

Mrs. Washington is Hà's neighbor and an all-around wonderful woman who takes Hà under her wing, becoming her tutor and supporter. She advocates for Hà, and is a friend of the whole family by the end of the book. In short, he's a welcome—and welcoming—presence in uncertain times.

Hester and Lester Beale

Ok, Amanda, we're sure the drawing on everything is super annoying and all. But really we'd love to have Hester and Lester as our little sibs. Not only do they have adorable names, but they are super loving little munchkins. Little Scamps Sure, Hester and Lester get in trouble too. But it's adorable trouble. It's the kind of innocuous trouble-making that makes adults say, "Oh, those rapscallions" with a twinkle in their eyes. They're not felons in training; they're just kids. And really, they're children in the true sense of what childhood can be. Their biggest act of rebellion is going on a bath strike: "They placed their hands on Lyle, Lyle Crocodile and swore they would never take another bath until Amanda joined them" (13.16). So yeah, they make some mistakes, they cause some trouble, but they have love and support to steer them in the right direction. How to Be a Family 101 When Maniac arrives at the Beales, he has pretty much no experience at being a member of a family. His stay with them could have gone pretty badly, right? And we can thank Hester and Lester for the fact that it turns out to be a good experience. The kids are immediately excited by Maniac and make him a part of their lives: Hester and Lester came screaming down the stairs with a book, Amanda screaming even louder after them, the kids shoving the book and themselves onto Maniac's lap, Amanda finally calming down because they didn't want to crayon the book, they only wanted Maniac to read. (12.19) Hester and Lester don't give Maniac a choice as to whether or not he wants to be a part of their family: they shower him with love from the very beginning and make it easy for him to do the same back. So why does he leave them? Maybe as much as Maniac loves being part of the Beale family, he's got some important lessons left to learn on what exactly it means to be a family member.

Pink boy

Pink Boy is prejudiced against Hà and bullies her in school, devoting time and energy to making sure she knows he doesn't want her around. He finally stops once Hà is considered cool because of her big brother, but if Vu hadn't come on the scene, we're not sure Pink Boy would have ever decided to leave Hà alone.

sodapop curtis

Ponyboy's happy-go-lucky, handsome brother. Sodapop is the middle Curtis boy. Ponyboy envies Sodapop's good looks and charm. Sodapop plans to marry Sandy, a greaser girl.

Darryl Curtis

Ponyboy's oldest brother. Darrel, known as "Darry," is a twenty-year-old greaser who is raising Ponyboy because their parents have died in a car crash. Strong, athletic, and intelligent, Darry has quit school. He works two jobs to hold the family together. The unofficial leader of the greasers, he becomes an authority figure for Ponyboy. He also makes good chocolate cake, which he and his brothers eat every day for breakfast. The other greasers call him "Superman."

read alouds

Reading aloud means just that-reading aloud. When we read to students, we take advantage of the fact that until about the eighth grade, young people have a "listening level" that significantly surpasses their reading level. When we read aloud to students, we engage them in texts that they might not be able to read.

Coretta Scott King Award

Recognizes outstanding African American authors and illustrators, and is awarded for books about the African-American experience that are written for a youth audience (high school or elementary).

Jefferey lionel Magee

Remember when you were ten or so, and a mouth full of braces and mom's special haircut were completely ruining your life? We do. We would have given anything to be as cool as Maniac. He can catch a touchdown pass one handed. Solve Cobble's Knot. Race a train running on one rail. Get Hester and Lester to stop drawing on the walls. Maniac is the be-all, end-all, the kid every other kid wants to be and every parent wants to raise (well, almost). But is it really as simple as his ability to do things that others can't? Is that what makes him so cool?

romance

Romance literature may refer to: Medieval romance literature, a style of heroic prose and verse narrative current in Europe from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Romance novels, a literary genre developed in Western culture which focuses on the romantic relationship between two or more people.

atticus finch

Scout and Jem's father, a lawyer in Maycomb descended from an old local family. A widower with a dry sense of humor, Atticus has instilled in his children his strong sense of morality and justice. He is one of the few residents of Maycomb committed to racial equality. When he agrees to defend Tom Robinson, a black man charged with raping a white woman, he exposes himself and his family to the anger of the white community. With his strongly held convictions, wisdom, and empathy, Atticus functions as the novel's moral backbone.

Jeremy finch

Scout's brother and constant playmate at the beginning of the story. Jeremy Atticus "Jem" Finch is something of a typical American boy, refusing to back down from dares and fantasizing about playing football. Four years older than Scout, he gradually separates himself from her games, but he remains her close companion and protector throughout the novel. Jem moves into adolescence during the story, and his ideals are shaken badly by the evil and injustice that he perceives during the trial of Tom Robinson.

plot

Sequence of events in a story

East End

Side of Two Mills Where blacks lived

steve randle

Sodapop's best friend since grade school. Steve is a seventeen-year-old greaser who works with Sodapop at the gas station. Steve knows everything about cars and specializes in stealing hubcaps. He is cocky and intelligent, tall and lean. He wears his thick hair in a complicated arrangement of swirls. He is also tough—he once held off four opponents in a fight with a broken soda bottle. He sees Ponyboy as Sodapop's annoying kid brother and wishes Ponyboy would not tag along so often.

Templeton

Templeton is the big barn rat. Let's be honest: we don't like Templeton one bit. He's rude and mean and gosh can he be a selfish little rodent. In fact, he's so selfish that he doesn't want to help save Wilbur's life. And then it takes a lot of coaxing and bribery for him to help save Charlotte's egg sac. Templeton needs to mind his manners and think of others for a change. If you don't like Templeton, then you're in good company. Even the narrator doesn't have a nice thing to say about this rat. Take a look at the narrator's description of his least favorite rodent: "The rat had no morals, no conscience, no scruples, no consideration, no decency, no milk of rodent kindness, no compunctions, no higher feeling, no friendliness, no anything." (6.20) From the sound of it, Templeton is pure evil. Did you notice how the narrator keeps repeating the word "no." That's also a word we hear Templeton say over and over and over again. So this rat gets a pretty bad rap in the barn. But can you find anything redeeming about Templeton? Does he fill an important role in the barnyard?

calpurnia

The Finches' black cook. Calpurnia is a stern disciplinarian and the children's bridge between the white world and her own black community.

miss maudie

The Finches' neighbor, a sharp-tongued widow, and an old friend of the family. Miss Maudie is almost the same age as Atticus's younger brother, Jack. She shares Atticus's passion for justice and is the children's best friend among Maycomb's adults.

tom robinson

The black field hand accused of rape. Tom is one of the novel's "mockingbirds," an important symbol of innocence destroyed by evil.

two bit matheews

The joker of Ponyboy's group. Two-Bit, whose real name is Keith, is a wisecracking greaser who regularly shoplifts. He prizes his sleek black-handled switchblade. He instigates the hostilities between the Socs and the greasers by flirting with Marcia, the girlfriend of a Soc.

jean louise finch

The narrator and protagonist of the story. Jean Louise "Scout" Finch lives with her father, Atticus, her brother, Jem, and their black cook, Calpurnia, in Maycomb. She is intelligent and, by the standards of her time and place, a tomboy. Scout has a combative streak and a basic faith in the goodness of the people in her community. As the novel progresses, this faith is tested by the hatred and prejudice that emerge during Tom Robinson's trial. Scout eventually develops a more grown-up perspective that enables her to appreciate human goodness without ignoring human evil.

ponyboy curtis

The novel's fourteen-year-old narrator and protagonist, and the youngest of the greasers. Ponyboy's literary interests and academic accomplishments set him apart from the rest of his gang. Because his parents have died in a car accident, Ponyboy lives with his brothers Darry and Sodapop. Darry repeatedly accuses Ponyboy of lacking common sense, but Ponyboy is a reliable and observant narrator. Throughout the novel, Ponyboy struggles with class division, violence, innocence, and familial love. He matures over the course of the novel, eventually realizing the importance of strength in the face of class bias.

setting

The time and place of a story

Dallas Winston

The toughest hood in Ponyboy's group of greasers. Dallas, known as "Dally," is a hardened teen who used to run with gangs in New York. He has an elfin face and icy blue eyes and, unlike his friends, does not put grease in his white-blond hair. Dally's violent tendencies make him more dangerous than the other greasers, and he takes pride in his criminal record. Dally feels protective of Johnny Cade.

Russell and Piper McNab

These may be two little boys, but they're about as different from Hester and Lester Beale as you can get. Hester and Lester are naturally loving, but Russell and Piper are naturally ready to fight. And then steal your wallet. And yes, they do know that stealing is wrong: "The other smacked him with his cap. 'Shut up Piper, you stupid sausage. You don't go telling people you stold stuff.'" But it's not all their fault: there hasn't been much love at the McNab household. And by the end of the book, thanks to Maniac's care, we start to think that there might be hope for these kids after all. Road Trip You have to admire their ambition. The McNab kids don't like school, and they're not happy at home (shock), so they take off for Mexico. Yes, it concerns us a little that they likely have absolutely no idea where Mexico is or how far they have to go (there's more than a few states between Pennsylvania and the Mexican border). But the important part of their ill-conceived plan is that they're going together. Notice that Russell and Piper are basically inseparable? This is true for much of the time we know them. Maybe this is what actually gives them a chance. Unlike their big bro who has really had to find his own way, Russell and Piper have built-in support. Enter Maniac They've also got Maniac. Maniac comes along for Russell and Piper at just the right time. What would have happened if he hadn't stopped them from going to Mexico? Who would be making personal sacrifices to make sure they aren't six-year old dropouts? Maniac may not remember his real family, but he already understand how families act: As for Maniac, he understood early on that he was being used for the greater glory of Piper and Russell. He also understood that without him, they would not be going to school every day. For the McNabs, there was nothing free about public education. A tuition had to be paid. Every week Maniac paid it. (37.9) With the little McNab boys, we see total breakdown. There's nothing innately good about families: family love, like school, has to be bought and paid for with care and attention. Luckily for Russell and Piper, someone cares enough to fork over the price.

Mr. Johnston

They are sponsored by a Southern farmer named Mr. Johnston (AKA: the cowboy), who helps the family to settle in Alabama and looks after their interests.

All six of the commonly read books- Charlotte's Web, Maniac Magee, The Crossover, Inside Out and Back Again, The Outsiders and To Kill a mockingbird- have strong themes in them. Despite their spanning the age group/grade level from early grades through high school, be able to identify at least two themes that run through all six books. Be prepared to discuss these themes with specific examples from each book.

Two of the most common themes that I noticed appear over and over again in the 6 main books we read as a class this quarter were death and belonging. I found it quite interesting that death was such a huge part of children's and young adult literature because it is such a harsh topic. But death is a powerful part of life, and the realities of death in all these books help bring them to a new level of impactfulness. In Charlotte's web death is seen through the farmers wanting to kill Wilbur for bacon and the book followed Wilbur escaping death while Charlotte confronted it, in Maniac Magee death is seen through the death of his parents and of Grayson (who sort of took the position of a father to Maniac) and the book follows how Maniac deals with these realities. Inside Out and Back Again and the Crossover both include the death of fathers and the impact that has on the family. The Outsiders is the one that I would say revolves around death the most out of all these books. In the Outsiders, it was the death (or murder) of a soc that started off the whole thing, then it followed as two of the main characters die- Johnny and Dallas. The idea of the famous saying "Nothing Gold can stay" almost reflects this idea of death that is so strongly presented in the book. And finally, in TKM, death can be seen through the death of Tom Robinson. The other theme that stuck out to me in all of these books was the idea of belonging to something (whether it's in terms of friends or family). In Charlottes web, Wilbur desperately wants a friend, and when he finds an unlikely friendship with a spider, this feeling of belonging starts to take form for both Wilbur and Charlotte. In Maniac Magee, the whole story is about Maniac wanting to belong so desperately to a family and a home until he winds up finding one with the Beale's at the end of the story. In the Crossover, Josh Bell struggles with the idea of belonging when he's kicked off the team and robbed of quality time with his brother, but as time gets hard, the family all comes together despite their differences to help eachother through the loss of their father. In inside out and back again, this idea of belonging is huge! Not only do they move to a new country, they don't speak the language, know the religion/customs, or know anybody! All Kim wants to do is feel like home again, but in an entirely different setting- belonging is a big issue for her here. In the Outsiders, this sense of belonging is seen through the gang culture. Each of the members of the gang are sort of misfits in their own home situations, but come together to form their own home and family unit. And in TKM, the sense of belonging is seen through the ideas of family. Aunt Alexandria expresses this most clear when she's talking about Finch pride and bringing the family honor and things of the sort. With this idea, we can see how the town is filled with people like that, not individuals, but rather as part of a family who is known to be and act certain ways. Kids are expected to grow up to be their parents and continue traditional ways of staying in this family unit. But we can see how Scout, Jem, and Atticus are shifting from that mold to a more modern family unit. Where they're there for each other, however, it's composed of more individualistic values.

John Mcnab

Were you quaking in your boots when you first met Big John? We won't tell. This guy is big 5 foot 8 and pushing 180—and he's no gentle giant. Giant John He's big, he's strong, he's more than a little mean: "He was like a shark. He had the blood lust. The victims were hunched and trembling, walking the gangplank" (7.7). And you should see him throw a baseball. But we have to ask: how much of his baseball skill is well, skill, and how much is just intimidation? Are people just too scared of him to hit the ball? The fact that he resorts to throwing a frog at Maniac sort of backs up our argument here. Giant John only cares about staying on top at any cost, making sure someone is scared of him, even when he can't achieve that within the rules of the game. Snakes On the Streets So as if being huge and mean weren't enough to intimidate us, Big John leads a gang. And they're not called the Puppies, or the Goldfish. Nope, they're the Cobras. So why would a 12-year-old join a gang? Well, let's look at Big John's roots for a second, shall we? He's got a Dad who appears to be drunk a majority of the time. He lives in a house with poop (poop!) lying around. He has two little brothers to be responsible for, but no role model or instruction on how to do so. Big John is more than a little lost. So what's a five-foot-eight 12-year-old with a mean streak to do? Why, start a gang of course. There, he gets the support that he can't find elsewhere. Ghost of Christmas Future One last thing: Giant John is also a little bit of a cautionary tale. Just like Grayson is one version of Maniac's possible future, so is Giant John. If Maniac weren't good at heart, he could easily become someone just like Giant John. But we're sure glad he didn't.

Fishbelly

What the east enders call White people

Earl Grayson

When we first meet Grayson, frankly, he's a little depressing. Yes, he rescued Maniac, but he's an old guy doing a menial job, living at the Y. How'd he end up here, anyway? That's the million-dollar question. America's Pastime Grayson isn't just any sad old guy you might meet at the bus stop. He is—not was—a baseball player. He may not have had a lot of glory, but he toiled away in minor leagues for more than two decades, "winding up in some hot tamale league in Guanajuato, Mexico, until his curveball could no longer bend around so much as a chili pepper and his fastball was slower than a senorita's answer" (25.30). Now if that isn't love of the game, we really don't know what is. But why does the fact that he has a history playing baseball matter so much? Because it gives him an identity he can cling to, when he really doesn't have a whole lot else going for him. And—important for Maniac—it gives him something to teach. Not the Only Orphan We know Maniac is an orphan. But Grayson shows that there's more than one way to be abandoned than through a tragic accident: his parents abandoned him by being drunk and neglectful; his teacher abandoned him by whispering where he could hear, "This bunch will never learn to read a stop sign'" (27.1). Grayson is on his own because those who should have cared for him failed him. Wait—that sounds familiar. Remember how Uncle Dan and Aunt Dot basically abandon Maniac emotionally? Yeah. This is basically the same thing. So, Grayson's background is really similar to Maniac's. He took off on his own when he was just 15 and struggled to find his own way through life. This experience lets Grayson provide the right amount of stability for Maniac. When he tries to convince Maniac to go to school, he finally gives up, looking "at him for awhile with a mixture of puzzlement and recognition, as though the fish he had landed might be the same one he had thrown away long before" (23.20). Translation? Grayson sees himself in Maniac. Wait, what?? We couldn't talk about Grayson without talking about the most shocking part of the book: Grayson's death. That's right, Grayson and Maniac had about as good a Christmas as anyone could imagine and then, "Five days later the old man was dead" (31.14). It's too cruel for words, right? Maniac has finally found himself a father. Grayson has finally found himself a son. They've got a nice little cozy home in the baseball equipment room, and no one seems particularly inclined to bother them. So how in the world could Grayson go and die and leave Maniac all alone. Again? Well, here's the thing. Sure, their little family is cozy and warm. But it's just not right for a kid. Maniac needs a home where he can go to school, where he can be the one learning the lessons rather than teaching them. Most of all? He needs to learn not to be like Grayson. Maniac needs to find what Grayson never could, and Grayson seems to know that. So, in a way, Grayson sacrifices himself so Maniac can finish his journey and find a real home.

Wilbur

Wilbur is the best pig you're ever going to meet. Plus, he may be the only pig you get to hear talk. (Anyone out there ever heard a pig talk? Anyone? Bueller?) Lucky for us, we get to follow this little guy from his first days on the Arable farm, where he's the runt of the litter, all the way to his days of winning a prize at the county fair.

Amanda Beale

Yup, we lined up to reserve Amanda Beale as our BFF, too. What's not to love? She's loyal, bossy, determined, bossy, loving, bossy. And sometimes she's a little bossy. And we find this out about her right away: "'Maybe you better go ask your mother and father if you live here or not.'" (3.28). To be honest, she reminds us a little of Harmoine Granger. All joking aside though, she's the perfect entry into friendship for Maniac. She's so determined that she won't give up on Maniac, even when he's given up on himself. Like this: when Maniac is feeling hopeless about staying in the East End, Amanda takes charge: 'So you see,' said Amanda, 'if you go up there and untie Cobble's Knot—which I know you can—you'll get your picture in the paper and you'll be the biggest hero ever around here and nooo-body'll mess with you then.' (19.9) This is why we'd sign up to have her as our best bud. It's got to feel good to know someone always has your back. Look, we here at Shmoop like books. (Obviously). But Amanda loves books. She loves them so much that she carries around a suitcase full of them. These books give Amanda and Maniac common ground and spark their friendship. But we have to ask: why does Amanda tote them around, really? Is she really afraid that Hester or Lester or Bow Wow will ruin them? Or do the books help her define herself in some other way? Amanda vs. the Baby Buffalo Not just any girl (or boy) will hop into a buffalo pen, even if it's for a really important reason. The same single-minded determination that makes Amanda carry her whole library around in a suitcase to protect it also has her hopping that fence in her slippers. There's no one better suited to bring Maniac home. Listen to what she says: 'Don't tell me can't. I didn't come all the way out here in my nightshirt and my slippers and climb that fence and almost kill myself so I could hear you tell me can't!' (46.23) Yeah, we'd go with her, too. And Maniac loves this kind of talk: "Maniac said nothing. He was quite content to let Amanda do the talking, for he knew that behind her grumbling was all that he had ever wanted" (46.27). What does he want? He wants someone to care enough about him to yell at him. And Amanda does.

mystery

a genre of literature whose stories focus on a puzzling crime, situation, or circumstance that needs to be solved. The term comes from the Latin mysterium, meaning "a secret thing."

genre

a major category or type of literature

illustrator

a person who draws the pictures in a book.

caldecott award

an annual award for excellence in illustration. (ch 11)

graphic novel

an illustrated story that aims to be longer and more developed than a comic book

denouement

an outcome or solution; the unraveling of a plot

Walter Cunningham Senior

leader of the mob at the courthouse. pays atticus for legal work in nuts from farm

Orbis Pictus Award

promotes and recognizes excellence in the writing of nonfiction for children

censorship

restriction on access to ideas and information

wordless picturebooks

show us the importance of the visual in today's culture... in these picture books, illustrations carry the full responsibility for meaning.

climax

the most intense, exciting, or important point of something; a culmination or apex.

author

the person who writes the story

point of view

the perspective from which a story is told

conflict

the struggle between opposing forces or characters in a story

flat character

two-dimensional in that they are relatively uncomplicated and do not change throughout the course of a work

West End

white families lived here in two mills