Name: Kyle Galkowski Class Period: 4 th

Setting  Its 2002, and Tree and his family are having a hard time in there little town. Which happens to be in a valley in Nebraska.

Characters  Sam Liggins (Tree) is the main character of this story and is 6ft. 3.5 tall, broad, youngest of the family, and in 7 th grade. Tree has a great personality. He is very clever, he made a pulley so his grandpa wouldn’t have to walk from the living room to the kitchen with his bad leg. He’s compassionate, he’s always trying to help people. He’s dependable you can always count on him to get things done.

Characters  Grandpa Liggins, they never call him by his name, but he enjoys it. He’s a veteran from fighting in the Korean war. And with that makes him loyal, easygoing, a joker, and old. He got shot in left leg while guarding the base. After a few years he needed surgery, so now he’s just got his leg amputated.

Characters  Curtis (brother) is in the middle of the brothers. He’s 6ft. 1, broad, athletic, he goes to college off of a sports scholarship (sophomore). Curtis is very free-willing, and a joker. Loves to mess with his brothers. He doesn’t take the divorce as bad as the others.

Characters  Larry (brother) is the oldest of his three brothers, but he is also the smallest. He’s 5ft. 11, broad, athletic and also goes to college off of a sports scholarship, but he is flunking (senior). Larry is depressed, because of the divorce, and doesn’t want to do anything, but his brothers help him by playing sports, because that what he loves the most.

characters  Brad (dad) is the one I think with the hardest part. He takes care of his dad (grandpa) and the boys are usually over at his house. He is 5ft 11.5, built, short brown hair, street-smart, easy-going. He work as a supervisor at the only walmart in town.

characters  Jessica (mom) is 5ft 5, long brown hair, book-smart, and very organized. She is one of those people that everything has to be perfect. She’s a real-estate contractor, and takes her job very seriously.

characters  Sophie is the new girl at Trees school, and in 8 th grade. Sophie gets bullied by mean girls, so Tree becomes friends with her. Sophie is a very talented artist and musician. She is very out-going, courageous, and brave. Her parents are also divorced.

Plot: Conflict  Trees trying to be good at sports like every other man in his family.  His parents got divorced.  His grandpa got his leg amputated  There's a new girl in school  The town floods

Plot: Resolution  When ever his brother are home from college they play sports and teach try to teach Tree how to play.  His parents get better, but stay divorced.  His grandpa makes good recovery.  Sophie and Tree become good friends.  The town goes to the school, but there's major damage done to the town.

Your Opinion  I personally thought this book was good, because it a boy going through a hard time in his life, and having no idea how to deal with it. Over time Tree and his family come up with solutions and ideas to make everything easier.

About the Author  Written 10 novels.  Won the Newbery Honor Medal  LA times book prize  Has been the recipient of the ASTAL  New England bookseller award

5 Test Questions  What grade is Tree in?  Larry feels that you can drink your problems away, why?  How old are his brothers?  Tree feels like he’s the one who let the family down, why?  Why does Tree find Sophie interesting?

Summary  Out of all the trouble, Tree finally finds his purpose in life. His grandfather makes amazing recoveries with the help of tree and his brothers. While Curtis and Larry are about to go back to college his parents are trying to make up.