“Seventh Grade” by Gary Soto Characters Victor Rodriguez Teresa Michael Torres Mr. Bueller, French teacher Setting A middle school in Fresno, CA on the 1 st day of 7 th grade Theme Be yourself. Don’t try to be someone that you’re not. Conflict Victor wants to impress Teresa. She doesn’t Climax In French, Victor tries to pretend to speak French to impress Teresa. Teresa is Resolution Teresa asks Victor to tutor her in French. Victor must
Transcript
“Seventh Grade” by Gary Soto
CharactersVictor Rodriguez
Teresa
Michael Torres
Mr. Bueller, French teacher
SettingA middle school in Fresno, CA on the 1st day of 7th grade
ThemeBe yourself.
Don’t try to be someone that you’re not.
Conflict
Victor wants to impress Teresa. She doesn’t notice Victor.
Man v. self
ClimaxIn French, Victor tries to pretend to speak French to impress Teresa. Teresa is impressed. Teacher keeps his secret.
ResolutionTeresa asks Victor to tutor her in French. Victor must teach himself French.
“All Summer in a Day”by Ray Bradbury
CharactersMargot
William & class
teacher
SettingThe future
Venus
schoolroom
Rains for 7 years, sun for 1-2 hours
ThemeTolerance and sensitivity is needed.
A group can become a mob and not act according to beliefs.
ConflictMan v. society
Man v. nature
Margot is bullied and teased for being different. She remembers the sun and they hate her for it.
ClimaxThe class locks Margot in a closet and play in the sunshine for an hour before realizing what they have done.
ResolutionThe children let Margot out and feel guilty for what they have done.
“Zoo” by Edward D. Hoch
CharactersProfessor Hugo
Humans
Horse-spider creatures from Kaan
SettingFuture
Chicago
August
Interplanetary Zoo
Kaan
ThemeThings are not always as they seem.
There are two sides to every story.
Conflict
Professor Hugo is deceiving his customers.
Man v. society
ClimaxPoint-of-view shift when readers learn that the Kaanians think the humans were the zoo.
Resolution
Readers realize that characters are happy, but misinformed.
“Cat on the Go” by James Herriot (narrative nonfiction)
CharactersJames (Jim)Herriot
Tristan
Helen
Oscar (Tiger), the cat
The Gibbons
SettingHerriot’s home/vet offices
U.K.
ThemeSome characters never change.
Always try to do the right thing.
ConflictMan v. selfAn injured cat is brought to the vet. Should they help it?
Old owners claim the cat. Should they return it?
ClimaxAfter becoming attached to the cat, Herriot’s must give it back.
ResolutionHerriots are allowed to visit Oscar, only to find that he hasn’t changed at all.
“The Cat Who Thought She Was a Dog and the Dog Who Thought He Was a Cat”
by Isaac Bashevis Singer
CharactersJan Skiba
Marianna Skiba
3 daughters
Kot, the cat
Burek, the dog
peddler
SettingRural (farming) area
Small, remote, one-room hut far from town
ThemeYour true self is shown in your action, not in your appearance.
ConflictThe Skibas buy a mirror that disrupts the family’s simple life.
Man v. self
Man v. man
ClimaxThe family are disgusted by their own looks. They feel their poverty b/c they need money to fix their appearances. The cat and dog now fight viciously.
ResolutionJan gets rid of the mirror. Burek, Kot, and the family return to normal. Daughters marry and life is fine again in the Skiba household.
“Justin Lebo” by Phillip Hoosenonfiction article
CharactersJustin Lebo
Various charities
Setting1989
Suburban neighborhood
Paterson, NJ
ThemeSharing your gifts and doing what you enjoy can often make both you and others happy.
ConflictJustin promises to make bikes for all boys at Kilbarchan by Christmas. He worries he does not have the money, time, and resources to reach his goal.
Man v. self
ClimaxAfter an article is written about Justin and his charitable works, money, and parts start to pour in.
ResolutionJustin reaches his goal and continues his charitable work, all the while maintaining his social life and other interests.
“The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” by Rod Serling
CharactersSteve Brand
Charlie
Les Goodman
Pete Van Horn
Tommy
Don Martin
Alien figures
Setting
Maple Street
USA
ThemeJumping to conclusions or making false accusations can lead to disaster.
There is nothing to fear but fear itself.
ConflictMan v. self
Man v. manElectricity and all motors/machine stop working. Residents can’t explain it and get scared.
ClimaxScapegoating and tension escalates to the point where Charley mistakenly shoots Pete Van Horn out of fear that he might be an alien.
ResolutionThe residents destroy each other due to their own fears.
“Cremation of Sam McGee” by Robert Service
CharactersSam McGee
“Cap” (captain of expedition)
SettingNorthern Canada
Yukon Territory
Gold rush
ThemeTrue friends keep their promises no matter what the circumstances.
ConflictMan v. self
Man v. natureSam dies from cold and Cap must uphold his promise to cremate him.
ClimaxCap finally finds an abandoned ship to serve as a crematorium. He burns the body.
ResolutionCap checks to see that his friend has burned and sees Sam smiling, finally content.
“Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out”
by Shel Silverstein
CharactersSarah
Her father
The garbage, which takes on a life of its own
Setting
The Stout household
ThemeAlways do what you are told, or face the consequences.
ConflictSarah refuses to take the garbage out.
Man v. garbage (“man”)
ClimaxThe garbage reaches maximum capacity, neighbors move, the whole US is affected.
Resolution
Sarah “meets an awful fate.”
“The Third Level” by Jack Finney
CharactersCharley
Louisa
Sam, psychiatrist
SettingNYC, Grand Central Station, 1940’s
Galesburg, Illinois, 1890’s
ThemePeople often yearn for a simpler, less stressful time (an escape to the past).
Conflict
Man v. self
Charley is looking to escape his reality.
Climax
Charley discovers a way to travel back in time – the third level of GCS.
ResolutionCharley can’t find the third level, but he knows it exists, because Sam writes him a letter that it does.
“Oranges” by Gary Soto
CharactersThe speaker, 12 year-old boy
A girl he likes
saleslady
SettingDecember
Cold, wet, foggy
Neighborhood
drugstore
ThemeTry to put yourself in another’s shoes.
Be compassionate.
Conflict
Man v. selfThe boy wants to impress the girl, but realizes he can’t afford what she wants.
Climax
The boy uses his only nickel and an orange to pay for chocolate.
ResolutionThe saleslady doesn’t say anything and he feels so happy and confident (symbolized by the orange).
“The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes
CharactersThe Highwayman
Bess, landlord’s daughter
Tim, the ostler
Redcoats
Setting
England, 1700’s
The inn
Windy night
ThemeLove can be so strong that people are willing to sacrifice their lives for each other.
Conflict
Man v. selfBess must decide how to save the Highwayman from danger.
ClimaxBess hears the Highwayman coming and warns him of danger by shooting herself.
ResolutionThe Highwayman is gunned down as he races back to avenge Bess’s death.
“The Third Wish” by Joan Aiken
CharactersMr. Peters
King of the Forest
Leita
Rhea
Setting
Forest of Savernake
Spring evening
Theme
Good deeds are often rewarded.
Be thankful for what you have.
Conflict
Man v. selfMr. Peters must decide how to use his wishes to everyone’s benefit.
Climax
Mr. Peters uses his 2nd wish to turn his wife back into a swan.
ResolutionMr. Peters stays close to the swan sisters and dies happily and contently, with the last wish unused.
“After Twenty Years” by O. Henry
CharactersOfficer Jimmy Wells
“Silky” Bob
Plainclothes officer
SettingNew York City
Late night
Dark, cold, rainy
Theme
Time often changes people, and not always for the better.
ConflictMan v. selfJimmy and Bob don’t know if the other will show for the 20 yr. appointment.
When Jimmy recognizes Bob, he faces a tough choice.
ClimaxBob lights a match, illuminates his face, & Jimmy realizes he is a wanted criminal.
Resolution
Jimmy has a plainclothes officer arrest Bob, with a note of explanation.
“A Boy and a Man” by James Ramsey Ullman
Characters
Rudi Matt
Captain John Winter
Setting
An icy mountain in a crevasse in the Alps
ThemePeople often rise to a challenge.
Risking one’s life to save another’s demonstrates maturity.
Conflict
Man v. nature
Man v. selfRudi discovers and must rescue a man from a crevasse.
Climax
Rudi pulls the man out of the crevasse, saving his life.
ResolutionThe man Rudi saved turned out to be a famous mountain climber.
“Amigo Brothers” by Piri Thomas
Characters
Antonio Cruz
Felix Vargas
Setting
Manhattan
Alphabet City
tenements
Theme
Friendship is more important than winning.
Problem
Man v. self
Man v. manAntonio & Felix, best friends, must fight each other in an important boxing match.
Climax
Antonio and Felix fight with all their might and pull no punches.
ResolutionThe boys leave the ring together before a winner is announced, arms around each other in friendship.
“Papa’s Parrot” by Cynthia RylantCharacters
Harry Tillian
Mr. Tillian
Rocky, parrot
Setting
Mr. Tillian’s candy & nut shop in town
ThemeFamily always comes first.
Take care of the most important things in your life.
Conflict
Man v. selfHarry and his dad are drifting apart as Harry grows older. Harry’s dad is lonely and sad.
ClimaxHarry’s dad has a heart attack. Harry takes care of shop, and Rocky tells Harry how much his papa misses him.
Resolution
Harry resolves to be more involved in his dad’s life.
“The Chase” from An American Childhood by Annie Dillard
Characters
Annie Dillard
Mikey Fahey
The man in black Buick
SettingDay after Christmas
Winter, snowy
Reynolds Street
Neighborhood
ThemeNever give up.
When you do something, do it with all your might.
Conflict
Man v. manAfter throwing a snowball at a car, the driver chases the kids all over the neighborhood.
Climax
The man finally catches the kids
ResolutionEven though the “lecture” is not appreciated, the man is a worthy opponent in the author’s eyes.
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
CharactersBilly Colman
Little Ann
Old Dan
Grandpa
Mama & Papa
Little sisters
SettingOzark Mountains in Oklahoma
Family farm
ThemeDetermination and hard work pays off.
Love comes with pain.
Always keep your promises.
Conflict
Man v. self
Man v. natureBilly wants two red-bone coon hounds, but can’t afford them.
ClimaxBilly saves up enough money, walks to Tahlequah and gets his dogs.
ResolutionAfter many wonderful and trying times with his dogs, both of them pass away. Billy has fond memories of his childhood and the love of his dogs.
7E
“Two Kinds” by Amy Tan
Characters
Jing-Mei (Ni Kan)
Mother
Setting
America
Theme
Stay true to yourself.
Be your own person.
Problem
Man v. manMom wants Jing-Mei to be famous, but she shows little talent or interest.
ClimaxJing-Mei plays poorly in the talent show. Her mother is humiliated. Pressure to do better continues.
ResolutionJing-Mei realizes she is both kinds of daughter – one who obeys for approval and one who is happy to be herself.
“No Gumption” by Russell Baker
CharactersRussell Baker
Doris Baker
Mrs. Baker (mom)
Rep. for Curtis Publishing
Setting
1932
During Great Depression
Belleville, NJ
ThemeGumption is needed to be successful, but success means different things to different people.
Conflict
Man v. self
Man v. society
Climax Resolution
“Burning Out at Nine?” by Nadya Labi
Characters
Steven Guzman, 12
Kids, ages 3-12
Setting
1997
America
Main IdeaIf kids continue working so hard, they may become obsessive-compulsive adults.
Conflict
Man v. society
Why
All work and no play can burn kids out too early in life
“Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allen PoeCharacters
Speaker, a young man
Annabel Lee, a maiden
Setting
“Many & many a year ago in a kingdom by the sea”
Theme
Love is a strong bond.
Love can hurt and be painful.
Problem
Man v selfThe two characters are so in love, everyone is envious of them.
Climax
Annabel Lee catches cold and dies. She is taken away to be buried.
ResolutionThe speaker spends the rest of his days mourning her death by the side of her grave.
from Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauernonfiction excerpt
Characters
Jon Krakauer
SettingApril 1996
The Khumbu Icefall on the way to the summit of Mt. Everest
ThemeEven though something is “strenuous and terrifying,” it can also be “beautiful and alluring.”
Conflict
Man v. nature
“Ribbons” by Laurence YepCharacters
Stacy
Stacy’s grandmother
Ian, brother
Setting
Family’s home in San Francisco, CA
Theme
Love and understanding can help bring family members together.
Conflict
Man v. manStacy’s grandmother comes from HK to live with the family. She takes Stacy’s room & seems to favor Ian .
ClimaxGrandmother gets angry when she sees Stacy’s ribboned ballet slippers and orders them destroyed.
ResolutionStacy learns that her grandmother was forced to bind her feet with ribbons. Stacy explains and dances for her grandmother. The two finally bond.
“The Treasure of Lemon Brown” by Walter Dean Myers
Characters
Greg Ridley
Father
Lemon Brown
Setting
Empty old apartment building.
Dark, cloudy, rainy evening.
ThemeOur past achievements are important.
The worth of something is not determined by money value alone.
Conflict
Man v. man
Man v. self
Climax ResolutionGreg is happy to go home, even if only to his father’s lecture. He sees his father’s hopes for him as a kind of treasure.
“Miracles” by Walt WhitmanCharacters
The speaker
Setting
Everyday life on Earth
Theme
Everything is miraculous. Life is a miracle, even the simplest detail.
