Surviving the Applewhites

1. Surviving the Applewhites Stephanie S. Tolan 2002 Fiction Kelsey Akin p.5

2. Setting The book takes place in modern day time at a creative academy. They live on a big piece of land, occupied by many little cottages. They use those cottages to house their guests. The guests are usually publishers or publicity agents. When I said academy, you were probably thinking a private school. It really isn’t It’s a family who home schools the kids using art as their foundation. The kids choose their own schedule and decide what they learn. They have a barn on their land, which plays an important part in the story later.

3. Characters Jake- He is the main character in this story. He started off being a rebel child who like to get under peoples skin. He liked to cuss because he thought that words hurt more than anything. He had bright red dyed hair that stood up in spikes all over. He wore black everything, that is until he realized that what he was doing didn’t hurt anyone but himself. He became a respectful person who is kind towards others. He also got a little makeover. He got a hair cut and dyed it brown, his natural hair color. Jake is smart and has an amazing singing voice that makes your heart melt, he just doesn’t like to show it. Winston- He is a dog with dark brown fur and big floppy ears that always get in the way. He has big brown eyes that will trick you into doing mostly anything. That’s probably why Jake cant say no when he starts to follow Jake around. At first, he was a little skeptical because of Jake’s appearance. He eventually he warmed up to Jake and never left his side. It became so bad that Jake couldn’t leave His side without wailing that could be hears all throughout the land.

4. E.D.- She is a teenager who has short cut Brown hair. She was tall and had an Athletic look to her.. She had a lot of trouble excepting Jake into the family. She felt that he was only there to make her life miserable and to take over everything she had been working on. She also felt like she was a misfit in her family because it seemed that everyone was talented except for herself. It turns out she does have talent, being bossy. Destiny- When I first heard this name, I thought it was a girl. He’s actually a little boy. . He is probably the most curious out of the family. He is so fascinated with Jakes red hair. He even tried to die his hair purple with Kool-aid. Lets just say his Ears are bright purple now. He asks a lot of questions and sticks to Jake’s side almost like Winston. He has a good singing voice which everyone found out when he began singing around the house.

5. Conflict There are 2 main problems in this story Jake doesn’t know what’s right or wrong. He tries to make people Angry by being disrespectful. He seems to think that words hurt more than anything. He had a reputation where everyone feared him. He doesn’t seem to care what his future has for him. He doesn’t think about what his Actions before he does it. 2) The family’s play got canceled because the theatres presidents daughter did not get casted in the play.

6. Resolution Jake learned his lesson with the help of the Applewhites. When he cussed, nobody paid attention. That taught him that words don’t affect them. When he gave someone attitude, they wouldn’t mind. Nothing affected them and he began to stop disrespecting them. He eventually had no time to do his hair in the morning and he thought everything through 2) Everyone pulled together and transformed the barn into a theatre. They had an opening night that went really well.

7. My Opinion The book was short and simple. At the same time, It was really interesting. The characters Are close to the same age as I am, so it made it easy to connect. They author always made sure you knew how each of the characters felt. I always had A mental picture of what the academy looked like from the beginning. Over all, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes what I just described.

8. About the Author Her 1st story was about a baby volcano who accidently started the 4th of July. 2) She got most of her inspiration from the Donahue show when she began writing 3) She said the thing she is most proud of that She accomplished is boosting a kids confidence 4) She has a special place in her heart for special Needs children 5) Her husband and son work in the theatre world

9. 5 Test Questions 1) Why doesn’t E.D. think she belongs in her family? In what 2 ways did the author prove a point about not Judging people by their cover? 3) How does the play transform E.D.? 4) How do you think Jake ended up after the story? 5) Do you think the Creative Academy is better than a regular public school?

10. Summary A boy named Jake gets sent to an Academy with A reputation to destroy his previous schools. He runs into a girl in the crazy artistic family who doesn’t like him at all! He became adapted to the family’s lifestyle and everyone began to like him. The fathers play becomes canceled and the entire family ( and a whole bunch of stranger) come together and turn the barn into a theatre to hold an amazing opening night. This experience transforms the whole family for the Better.