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“Seventh Grade” by Gary Soto
Characters Victor Rodriguez Teresa Michael Torres Mr. Bueller, French teacher Setting A middle school in Fresno, CA on the 1st day of 7th grade Theme Be 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 Climax In French, Victor tries to pretend to speak French to impress Teresa. Teresa is impressed. Teacher keeps his secret. Resolution Teresa asks Victor to tutor her in French. Victor must teach himself French.
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“All Summer in a Day” by Ray Bradbury
Characters Margot William & class teacher Setting The future Venus schoolroom Rains for 7 years, sun for 1-2 hours Theme Tolerance and sensitivity is needed. A group can become a mob and not act according to beliefs. Conflict Man v. society Man v. nature Margot is bullied and teased for being different. She remembers the sun and they hate her for it. Climax The class locks Margot in a closet and play in the sunshine for an hour before realizing what they have done. Resolution The children let Margot out and feel guilty for what they have done.
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“Zoo” by Edward D. Hoch Characters Setting Theme Conflict
Professor Hugo Humans Horse-spider creatures from Kaan Setting Future Chicago August Interplanetary Zoo Kaan Theme Things are not always as they seem. There are two sides to every story. Conflict Professor Hugo is deceiving his customers. Man v. society Climax Point-of-view shift when readers learn that the Kaanians think the humans were the zoo. Resolution Readers realize that characters are happy, but misinformed.
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“Cat on the Go” by James Herriot (narrative nonfiction)
Characters James (Jim)Herriot Tristan Helen Oscar (Tiger), the cat The Gibbons Setting Herriot’s home/vet offices U.K. Theme Some characters never change. Always try to do the right thing. Conflict Man v. self An injured cat is brought to the vet. Should they help it? Old owners claim the cat. Should they return it? Climax After becoming attached to the cat, Herriot’s must give it back. Resolution Herriots are allowed to visit Oscar, only to find that he hasn’t changed at all.
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“The Cat Who Thought She Was a Dog and the Dog Who Thought He Was a Cat” by Isaac Bashevis Singer
Characters Jan Skiba Marianna Skiba 3 daughters Kot, the cat Burek, the dog peddler Setting Rural (farming) area Small, remote, one-room hut far from town Theme Your true self is shown in your action, not in your appearance. Conflict The Skibas buy a mirror that disrupts the family’s simple life. Man v. self Man v. man Climax The 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. Resolution Jan gets rid of the mirror. Burek, Kot, and the family return to normal. Daughters marry and life is fine again in the Skiba household.
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“Justin Lebo” by Phillip Hoose nonfiction article
Characters Justin Lebo Various charities Setting 1989 Suburban neighborhood Paterson, NJ Theme Sharing your gifts and doing what you enjoy can often make both you and others happy. Conflict Justin 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 Climax After an article is written about Justin and his charitable works, money, and parts start to pour in. Resolution Justin reaches his goal and continues his charitable work, all the while maintaining his social life and other interests.
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“The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” by Rod Serling
Characters Steve Brand Charlie Les Goodman Pete Van Horn Tommy Don Martin Alien figures Setting Maple Street USA Theme Jumping to conclusions or making false accusations can lead to disaster. There is nothing to fear but fear itself. Conflict Man v. self Man v. man Electricity and all motors/machine stop working. Residents can’t explain it and get scared. Climax Scapegoating and tension escalates to the point where Charley mistakenly shoots Pete Van Horn out of fear that he might be an alien. Resolution The residents destroy each other due to their own fears.
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“Cremation of Sam McGee” by Robert Service
Characters Sam McGee “Cap” (captain of expedition) Setting Northern Canada Yukon Territory Gold rush Theme True friends keep their promises no matter what the circumstances. Conflict Man v. self Man v. nature Sam dies from cold and Cap must uphold his promise to cremate him. Climax Cap finally finds an abandoned ship to serve as a crematorium. He burns the body. Resolution Cap checks to see that his friend has burned and sees Sam smiling, finally content.
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“Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out” by Shel Silverstein
Characters Sarah Her father The garbage, which takes on a life of its own Setting The Stout household Theme Always do what you are told, or face the consequences. Conflict Sarah refuses to take the garbage out. Man v. garbage (“man”) Climax The garbage reaches maximum capacity, neighbors move, the whole US is affected. Resolution Sarah “meets an awful fate.”
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“The Third Level” by Jack Finney
Characters Charley Louisa Sam, psychiatrist Setting NYC, Grand Central Station, 1940’s Galesburg, Illinois, 1890’s Theme People 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. Resolution Charley can’t find the third level, but he knows it exists, because Sam writes him a letter that it does.
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“Oranges” by Gary Soto Characters Setting Theme Conflict Man v. self
The speaker, 12 year-old boy A girl he likes saleslady Setting December Cold, wet, foggy Neighborhood drugstore Theme Try to put yourself in another’s shoes. Be compassionate. Conflict Man v. self The 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. Resolution The saleslady doesn’t say anything and he feels so happy and confident (symbolized by the orange).
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“The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes
Characters The Highwayman Bess, landlord’s daughter Tim, the ostler Redcoats Setting England, 1700’s The inn Windy night Theme Love can be so strong that people are willing to sacrifice their lives for each other. Conflict Man v. self Bess must decide how to save the Highwayman from danger. Climax Bess hears the Highwayman coming and warns him of danger by shooting herself. Resolution The Highwayman is gunned down as he races back to avenge Bess’s death.
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“The Third Wish” by Joan Aiken
Characters Mr. 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. self Mr. 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. Resolution Mr. Peters stays close to the swan sisters and dies happily and contently, with the last wish unused.
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“After Twenty Years” by O. Henry
Characters Officer Jimmy Wells “Silky” Bob Plainclothes officer Setting New York City Late night Dark, cold, rainy Theme Time often changes people, and not always for the better. Conflict Man v. self 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. Climax Bob 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.
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“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 Theme People often rise to a challenge. Risking one’s life to save another’s demonstrates maturity. Conflict Man v. nature Man v. self Rudi discovers and must rescue a man from a crevasse. Climax Rudi pulls the man out of the crevasse, saving his life. Resolution The man Rudi saved turned out to be a famous mountain climber.
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“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. man Antonio & 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. Resolution The boys leave the ring together before a winner is announced, arms around each other in friendship.
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“Papa’s Parrot” by Cynthia Rylant
Characters Harry Tillian Mr. Tillian Rocky, parrot Setting Mr. Tillian’s candy & nut shop in town Theme Family always comes first. Take care of the most important things in your life. Conflict Man v. self Harry and his dad are drifting apart as Harry grows older. Harry’s dad is lonely and sad. Climax Harry’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.
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“The Chase” from An American Childhood by Annie Dillard
Characters Annie Dillard Mikey Fahey The man in black Buick Setting Day after Christmas Winter, snowy Reynolds Street Neighborhood Theme Never give up. When you do something, do it with all your might. Conflict Man v. man After throwing a snowball at a car, the driver chases the kids all over the neighborhood. Climax The man finally catches the kids Resolution Even though the “lecture” is not appreciated, the man is a worthy opponent in the author’s eyes.
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Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
Characters Billy Colman Little Ann Old Dan Grandpa Mama & Papa Little sisters Setting Ozark Mountains in Oklahoma Family farm Theme Determination and hard work pays off. Love comes with pain. Always keep your promises. Conflict Man v. self Man v. nature Billy wants two red-bone coon hounds, but can’t afford them. Climax Billy saves up enough money, walks to Tahlequah and gets his dogs. Resolution 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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7E
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“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. man Mom wants Jing-Mei to be famous, but she shows little talent or interest. Climax Jing-Mei plays poorly in the talent show. Her mother is humiliated. Pressure to do better continues. Resolution Jing-Mei realizes she is both kinds of daughter – one who obeys for approval and one who is happy to be herself.
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“No Gumption” by Russell Baker
Characters Russell Baker Doris Baker Mrs. Baker (mom) Rep. for Curtis Publishing Setting 1932 During Great Depression Belleville, NJ Theme Gumption is needed to be successful, but success means different things to different people. Conflict Man v. self Man v. society Climax Resolution
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“Burning Out at Nine?” by Nadya Labi
Characters Steven Guzman, 12 Kids, ages 3-12 Setting 1997 America Main Idea If 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
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“Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allen Poe
Characters 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 self The 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. Resolution The speaker spends the rest of his days mourning her death by the side of her grave.
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from Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer nonfiction excerpt
Characters Jon Krakauer Setting April 1996 The Khumbu Icefall on the way to the summit of Mt. Everest Theme Even though something is “strenuous and terrifying,” it can also be “beautiful and alluring.” Conflict Man v. nature
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“Ribbons” by Laurence Yep
Characters 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. man Stacy’s grandmother comes from HK to live with the family. She takes Stacy’s room & seems to favor Ian . Climax Grandmother gets angry when she sees Stacy’s ribboned ballet slippers and orders them destroyed. Resolution Stacy learns that her grandmother was forced to bind her feet with ribbons. Stacy explains and dances for her grandmother. The two finally bond.
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“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 Our past achievements are important. The worth of something is not determined by money value alone. Conflict Man v. man Man v. self Climax Resolution 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.
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“Miracles” by Walt Whitman
Characters The speaker Setting Everyday life on Earth Theme Everything is miraculous. Life is a miracle, even the simplest detail. Type of poetry Free verse Sensory
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“Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes
Characters Speaker, an African-American mother Her son Setting A mother giving advice to her son Theme Don’t give up when you find life hard. Keep trying despite obstacles. Type of Poetry Free-verse
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The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Characters Setting Theme Problem Climax Resolution
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