by Characters Setting Theme Conflict Climax Resolution Seventh

“ ” by Characters Setting Theme Conflict Climax Resolution

“Seventh Grade” by Gary Soto Characters Setting Theme Victor Rodriguez A middle school in Fresno, Be yourself. CA on the 1 st day of 7 th Teresa Don’t try to be someone grade that you’re not. Michael Torres Mr. Bueller, French teacher Conflict Climax Resolution asks Victor to tutor Victor wants to In French, Victor tries Teresa her in French. Victor must to pretend to speak teach himself French. impress Teresa. French to impress She doesn’t Teresa is impressed. Teacher notice Victor. Man v. self keeps his secret.

“All Summer in a Day”by Ray Bradbury Characters Setting Theme Margot William & class teacher The future Tolerance and Venus sensitivity is needed. schoolroom A group can become Rains for 7 years, sun for 1 mob and not act 2 hours a according to beliefs. Conflict Climax Resolution The children let Margot out Man v. society The class locks Man v. nature Margot in a closet and feel guilty for what they have done. play in the sunshine Margot is bullied and teased for being different. for an hour before She remembers the sun realizing what they and they hate her for it. have done.

“Zoo” by Edward D. Hoch Characters Setting Theme Professor Hugo Humans Horse-spider creatures from Kaan Future Chicago August Interplanetary Zoo Kaan Things are not always as they seem. There are two sides to every story. Conflict Climax Resolution shift when Professor Hugo is. Point-of-view Readers realize readers learn that the Kaanians think the humans that characters deceiving his were the zoo. customers. are happy, but misinformed. Man v. society

“Cat on the Go” by James Herriot (narrative nonfiction) Characters Setting Theme James (Jim)Herriot Tristan Helen Oscar (Tiger), the cat The Gibbons Herriot’s home/vet offices U. K. Some characters never change. Always try to do the right thing. Conflict Climax Resolution Man v. self After becoming attached to Herriots are allowed to visit An injured cat is brought the cat, Herriot’s must give Oscar, only to find that he hasn’t changed at all. to the vet. Should they it back. help it? Old owners claim the cat. Should they return it?

“The Cat Who Thought She Was a Dog and the Dog Who Thought He Was a Cat”by Isaac Bashevis Singer Characters Setting Jan Skiba Marianna Skiba 3 daughters Kot, the cat Burek, the dog peddler Rural (farming) area Conflict Climax Theme Your true self is shown in your action, not in your Small, remote, one-room hut appearance. far from town Resolution The family are disgusted Jan gets rid of the mirror. The Skibas buy a mirror that disrupts the by their own looks. They Burek, Kot, and the family feel their poverty b/c they return to normal. family’s simple life. Man v. self Man v. man need money to fix their Daughters marry and life appearances. The cat and is fine again in the Skiba dog now fight viciously. household.

“The Third Wish” by Joan Aiken Characters Mr. Peters King of the Forest Leita Rhea Conflict Man v. self Mr. Peters must decide how to use his wishes to everyone’s benefit. Setting Forest of Savernake Spring evening Theme Good deeds are often rewarded. Be thankful for what you have. Climax Resolution Peters stays close to Mr. Peters uses Mr. the swan sisters and dies happily and contentedly, his 2 nd wish to with the last wish unused. turn his wife back into a swan.

“After Twenty Years” by O. Henry Characters Officer Jimmy Wells “Silky” Bob Plainclothes officer Setting Theme New York City Time often changes people, and not Late night Dark, cold, rainy always for the better. Conflict Climax Man v. self Bob lights a match, illuminates his face, & Jimmy realizes he is a wanted criminal. Jimmy and Bob don’t know if the other will show for the 20 yr. appointment. When Jimmy recognizes Bob, he faces a tough choice. 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 Conflict Man v. nature Man v. self Setting Theme An icy mountain People often rise to a challenge. in a crevasse in Risking one’s life to save another’s demonstrates the Alps maturity. Climax Resolution The man Rudi saved turned Rudi pulls the out to be a famous mountain climber. man out of the Rudi discovers and must crevasse, saving rescue a man from a his life. crevasse.

“The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” by Rod Serling Characters Setting Maple Street USA Theme Conflict Climax Resolution Man v. self Man v. man Scapegoating and tension The residents escalates to the point where Charley mistakenly destroy each other shoots Pete Van Horn out due to their own of fear that he might be an fears. alien. Steve Brand Charlie Les Goodman Pete Van Horn Tommy Don Martin Alien figures Electricity and all motors/machine stop working. Residents can’t explain it and get scared. Jumping to conclusions or making false accusations can lead to disaster. There is nothing to fear but fear itself.

“The Third Level” by Jack Finney Characters Setting Theme Charley Louisa Sam, psychiatrist NYC, Grand Central Station, People often yearn for a 1940’s simpler, less stressful time Galesburg, Illinois, 1890’s (an escape to the past). Conflict Man v. self Charley is looking to escape his reality. Climax Resolution can’t find the third Charley discovers Charley level, but he knows it exists, because Sam writes a way to travel him a letter that it does. back in time – the third level of GCS.

“The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes Characters The Highwayman Bess, landlord’s daughter Tim, the ostler Redcoats Conflict Man v. self Setting Theme can be so strong that England, 1700’s Love people are willing to sacrifice their lives for each The inn other. Windy night Climax Bess hears the Highwayman coming and Bess must decide how to warns him of danger by save the Highwayman from shooting herself. danger. Resolution The Highwayman is gunned down as he races back to avenge Bess’s death.

“Cremation of Sam Mc. Gee” by Robert Service Characters Setting Theme Sam Mc. Gee “Cap” (captain of expedition) Northern Canada Yukon Territory Gold rush True friends keep their promises no matter what the circumstances. Conflict Climax Resolution Man v. self Man v. nature Cap finally finds an Cap checks to see that his abandoned ship to serve as friend has burned and sees Sam dies from cold and a crematorium. He burns Sam smiling, finally content. the body. Cap must uphold his promise to cremate him.

“Papa’s Parrot” by Cynthia Rylant Characters Harry Tillian Mr. Tillian Rocky, parrot Setting Mr. Tillian’s candy & nut shop in town Conflict Man v. self Climax Theme Family always comes first. Take care of the most important things in your life. Resolution Harry’s dad has a heart Harry resolves to attack. Harry takes Harry and his dad are care of shop, and be more involved drifting apart as Harry Rocky tells Harry how in his dad’s life. grows older. Harry’s dad is lonely and sad. much his papa misses him.

“Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out”by Shel Silverstein Characters Setting Theme Sarah Her father The garbage, which takes on a life of its own Always do what you are told, or face the consequences. The Stout household Conflict Climax Resolution Sarah refuses to take the garbage out. Man v. garbage (“man”) The garbage reaches maximum capacity, neighbors move, the whole US is affected. Sarah “meets an awful fate. ”

“Miracles” by Walt Whitman Characters The speaker – perhaps the poet himself? Setting No specific place – the whole world around us. Theme Conflict Climax Resolution There are miracles – or wonderful things everywhere! Even the smallest things such as honey bees or stars are miracles. Doesn’t really apply to The reader this kind of poem – but understands that there the speaker is wondering perhaps when the speakerare miracles all around who thinks miracles are says “every hour of light us, if only we recognize important and what kinds and dark is a miracle. ” and appreciate them. of miracles there are.

“Justin Lebo” by Phillip Hoose nonfiction article Characters Setting Theme Justin Lebo Various charities 1989 Suburban neighborhood Paterson, NJ Sharing your gifts and doing what you enjoy can often make both you and others happy. Conflict Climax Resolution Justin promises to make After an article is written Justin reaches his goal bikes for all boys at about Justin and his and continues his Kilbarchan by Christmas. He charitable works, money, and charitable work, all the worries he does not have the parts start to pour in. while maintaining his money, time, and resources social life and other to reach his goal. interests. Man v. self

“Amigo Brothers” by Piri Thomas Characters Antonio Cruz Felix Vargas Setting Manhattan Alphabet City tenements Problem Man v. self Man v. man Climax Resolution boys leave the ring Antonio and Felix The together before a winner is fight with all their announced, arms around each other in friendship. might and pull no punches. Antonio & Felix, best friends, must fight each other in an important boxing match. Theme Friendship is more important than winning.

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls Characters Setting Theme Billy Colman Little Ann Old Dan Grandpa Mama & Papa Little sisters Ozark Mountains in Oklahoma Family farm Determination and hard work pays off. Love comes with pain. Always keep your promises. Conflict Man v. self Man v. nature Climax Resolution Billy saves up enough money, walks to Tahlequah and gets his Billy wants two red-bone dogs. coon hounds, but can’t afford them. After 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.

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“The Chase” from An American Childhood by Annie Dillard Characters Setting Day after Christmas Annie Dillard Winter, snowy Reynolds Street Mikey Fahey Neighborhood The man in black Buick Theme Conflict Man v. man Resolution After throwing a snowball at a car, the driver chases the kids all over the neighborhood. Climax The man finally catches the kids Never give up. When you do something, do it with all your might. Even though the “lecture” is not appreciated, the man is a worthy opponent in the author’s eyes.

“Two Kinds” by Amy Tan Characters Setting Jing-Mei (Ni Kan) America Mother Problem Man v. man Climax Theme Stay true to yourself. Be your own person. Resolution Jing-Mei plays poorly Jing-Mei realizes she is in the talent show. Her both kinds of daughter – Mom wants Jing-Mei to be mother is humiliated. one who obeys for famous, but she shows little Pressure to do better approval and one who is talent or interest. continues. happy to be herself.

“No Gumption” by Russell Baker Characters Russell Baker Doris Baker Mrs. Baker (mom) Rep. for Curtis Publishing Conflict Man v. self Man v. society Setting 1932 During Great Depression Belleville, NJ Theme Climax Resolution Gumption is needed to be successful, but success means different things to different people.

“Burning Out at Nine? ” by Nadya Labi Characters Setting Steven Guzman, 1997 12 America Kids, ages 3 -12 Conflict Man v. society Main Idea If kids continue working so hard, they may become obsessive-compulsive adults. Why All work and no play can burn kids out too early in life

“Oranges” by Gary Soto Characters Setting The speaker, 12 year-old boy. December A girl he likes Cold, wet, foggy saleslady Neighborhood drugstore Conflict Man v. self Theme Try to put yourself in another’s shoes. Be compassionate. Climax Resolution The boy uses his The saleslady doesn’t say anything and he feels so The boy wants to impress theonly nickel and an happy and confident girl, but realizes he can’t orange to pay for (symbolized by the afford what she wants. orange). chocolate.

“Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allen Poe Characters Setting Speaker, a young “Many & many a man year ago in a Annabel Lee, a kingdom by the sea” maiden Problem Man v self Theme Love is a strong bond. Love can hurt and be painful. Climax Resolution The speaker spends the Annabel Lee rest of his days mourning The two characters are so catches cold and her death by the side of her in love, everyone is envious grave. dies. She is of them. taken away to be buried.

from Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer nonfiction excerpt Characters Jon Krakauer Conflict Man v. nature Setting Theme April 1996 The Khumbu Icefall on the way to the summit of Mt. Everest Even though something is “strenuous and terrifying, ” it can also be “beautiful and alluring. ”

“Ribbons” by Laurence Yep Characters 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. man Climax Resolution Stacy’s grandmother comes from HK to live with the family. She takes Stacy’s room & seems to favor Ian. Grandmother gets angry Stacy learns that her when she sees Stacy’s grandmother was forced to ribboned ballet slippers bind her feet with ribbons. Stacy explains and dances and orders them for her grandmother. The destroyed. 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. Theme Conflict Man v. man Man v. self Climax Resolution Greg learns that Lemon’s Brown treasure is only a bunch of old newspaper clippings Greg 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. Our past achievements are important. The worth of something is not determined by money value alone.

“Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes Characters Setting Theme give up when you find Speaker, an A mother giving Don’t life hard. African-American advice to her son Keep trying despite obstacles. mother Her son Type of Poetry Free-verse

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain Characters Tom Sawyer Aunt Polly Sid & Mary Huckleberry Finn Becky Thatcher Injun Joe Problem Man v. self Man v. man Man v. society Setting Theme is full of Fictional town of Childhood adventures. St. Petersburg, Adults need to remember what is was like to be a Missouri child. Climax Resolution Tom & Becky Huck and Tom escape from the get all the money cave; Injun Joe is from the treasure. trapped and dies.