What is the character's main problem?

Give an example of dialogue from the character and explain what it shows about the character.

What actions did the character do? What does this tell you about him/her/it?

What might other's think about the character?

Give 3 traits that desribe the character.

How did the character change over time?

What themes fit with this book?

Wilbur will be killed in the fall.

Charlotte cares for the stinky pig that cries.

Wilbur became more confident.
The animals in the barn were more caring and tolerant of smelly and blood-sucking animals, as well as the everyday sort of animals.

Helping others and seeing the best in everyone around you.

She can't decide on the right pair of shoes for her.

colored laces, stripes and spots.

She was trying to find the perfect pair of shoes for her. She was struggling to find the perfect pair.

A young hippo girl who has grown out of her shoes.

growing, excited, certain of what she wants

She found her just right shoe.

Finding something just right for you

He has lied to get a day's work, and has destroyed property.

"The important things your grandfather knows already. And I can teach him gardening."

Franciso sat by the window in huddled silence. He didn't wave to passing cars. He didn't raise his cap. The lie had spoiled the day. His throat burned with tears.

Francisco is precocious. He wants he and his grandpa work, and doesn't consider the consequences of his actions.

That he's just a kid and naive.

Honesty is the best policy.

It's much smarter if you learn to read when you are young. The chance may pass with the years. This shows that Grandma understands the importance of learning.

She goes to her granddaughter to help her. This shows that she is determined.

Caring, spends time with grand kids, nervous

Determined. Courageous, humble

Never too late to learn something new, it is ok to ask for help

Aiden can't figure out why his 2 friends won't play with him after school, choose him as a partner, or sit with him at lunch.

"I am stumped, Dad! I always play with Brendon and Brody after school. Why didn't they invite me to come over today?" It shows the character's feelings are hurt by his friend's actions.

Talked to his dad for help, asked for help from the principal, made a new friend, Addy. This tells us that he's able to problem solve by going to an adult and other friends.

At the beginning Aiden is sad by the behavior of his friends, he is stumped by their continued behavior throughout the story. He is a problem solver and is looking for assistance from other people. He finally takes his dad's advice and gets to the root of the problem. In the end Aiden is back playing with Brody and Brendon and has included Addy in his group.

He's sad and lonely and his feelings are hurt.

Ask for help when you need it. Don't give up when you really want something.

The character is a Union soldier in the civil war who has been wounded. He is saved by another union soldier, Pinkus, from the colored ranks. He does not want to return to the war.

"I don't want to go back," I blurted out. ...."You don't understand. I took up and run away from my unit. I was hit when I was runnin'....I'm a coward and deserter."

He admitted his guilt and was afraid to go back. He also took up arms when he wasn't supposed to. This tells me he is strong, but is afraid, and young.
He lied to a confederate officer to save their lives even though he knew they'd be caught.

The character is brave, and young. He survived the civil war and passed down the story of Pinkus, the man who saved his life. in the story, he is very thankful and grateful.

That he is weak, since he actually deserted his ranks. Pinkus would think of him as a good friend, Moe Moe Bay, Pinkus's mother thinks of him as another son.

He began the story by running away from the war trying to get home. He grows as he befriends a colored soldier and trusts him. He then puts himself in harm's way even though he's scared to save another and goes on to remember Pinkus and Moe Moe Bay, Pinkus's mother who died for them both to preserve their memory since no one else can.

Diversity, Friendship, Bravery, Facing adversity

He has lied to get a day's work, and has destroyed property.

"The important things your grandfather knows already. And I can teach him gardening."

Franciso sat by the window in huddled silence. He didn't wave to passing cars. He didn't raise his cap. The lie had spoiled the day. His throat burned with tears.

Francisco is precocious. He wants he and his grandpa work, and doesn't consider the consequences of his actions.

That he's just a kid and naive.

inexperienced, assertive, responsible

Francisco was confident but inexperienced. He was assertive to try and get grandpa work, but he lied. In the end he owned up to his responsibility and make everything right.

Honesty is the best policy. When you make a mistake, it is best to fix it and own up to your responsibilility

The Story of Ruby Bridges

Ruby is the first black child to attend an all-white elementary school. Angry mobs shouted at her and held signs as she entered the school. When she started to attend the white people in the neighborhood did not send their children to school.

this is dialogue about the character:
"She didn't seem nervous or anxious or irritable or scared."
"I wasn't talking," said Ruby. "I was praying. I was praying for them."

She walked up to the school with a mob of white people shouting at her.
She was calm and confident.
She stood up to the angry mob.

Ruby is a courageous girl who stood up to adults.

That she would have given up.

As she continued to attend school she did not falter in her convictions. It was through Ruby's convictions that the adult whites in the neighborhood changed as they gave up their struggle to to scare Ruby and defeat the courts.

An Angel for Solomon Singer

Solomon has no place to call "home" because he lives a lonely life in a hotel for men.....however, he meets a friendly, kind waiter in a nearby cafe and finds "beauty in even the bleakest surroundings"no

Very little dialogue (author's craft!)

The character dreams of having a real home, the author builds to the point of the only dialogue....."Come back again," spoken by the friendly waiter of a cafe. The story changes here and from this point on the main character sees his world differently.

Beginning: sad, lonely, bleak outlook
Miiddle: the aha moment three words
End: Hopeful, alive, content.

Others might feel really sorry for him. Might wonder why he is all alone and living in a hotel for men?

Courageous, hopeful, strong

See the earlier comments under "describe the character."

Hope, kindness, seeing the world with the glass half full

Beth Kobliner Shaw & Jacob Shaw

Jacob is very eager to get to the science store to finally purchase a light up globe he has been wanting. He gets stopped along the way several times as people inquire about his eye patch.

"Sorry! We're rushing to catch a plane to Argentina! He said.

"I don't speak English" he said.

Both of these quotes demonstrate that he is clever, quick and a bit of a smart aleck.

He continues to beg his mom to keep moving. This demonstrates his persistence and ability to stay focused.

Jacob is a young boy that is eager to get a light up globe. He has to wear an eye patch because of a condition. He does not allow the patch to bother him and he usually takes the time to educate people that are curious about his difference. He is courageous in that he doesn't allow the patch to interfere with daily life.

Beth Kobliner Shaw & Jacob Shaw

Jacob is very eager to get to the science store to finally purchase a light up globe he has been wanting. He gets stopped along the way several times as people inquire about his eye patch.

"Sorry! We're rushing to catch a plane to Argentina! He said.

"I don't speak English" he said.

Both of these quotes demonstrate that he is clever, quick and a bit of a smart aleck.

He continues to beg his mom to keep moving. This demonstrates his persistence and ability to stay focused.

Jacob is a young boy that is eager to get a light up globe. He has to wear an eye patch because of a condition. He does not allow the patch to bother him and he usually takes the time to educate people that are curious about his difference. He is courageous in that he doesn't allow the patch to interfere with daily life.

Courage/persistence/appreciating differences/overcoming disabilities/appreciating differences/patience

Determined, caring, concerned

He was sad at the beginning but with help from his dad, principal and a new friend he overcame his problem and was happy at the end.

Beth Kobliner Shaw & Jacob Shaw

Jacob is very eager to get to the science store to finally purchase a light up globe he has been wanting. He gets stopped along the way several times as people inquire about his eye patch.

"Sorry! We're rushing to catch a plane to Argentina! He said.

"I don't speak English" he said.

Both of these quotes demonstrate that he is clever, quick and a bit of a smart aleck.

He continues to beg his mom to keep moving. This demonstrates his persistence and ability to stay focused.

Jacob is a young boy that is eager to get a light up globe. He has to wear an eye patch because of a condition. He does not allow the patch to bother him and he usually takes the time to educate people that are curious about his difference. He is courageous in that he doesn't allow the patch to interfere with daily life.

Patient, courageous, persistent

Jacob realized that many people have things that make people curious. Sometimes people want to talk about it and sometimes they don't. However, it isn't something to be ashamed of.

Courage/persistence/appreciating differences/overcoming disabilities/appreciating differences/patience

Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge

He doesn't understand what a memory is.

He keeps asking the elderly people, that live in a nursing home, what a memory is. This shows that he is inquisitive.

Wilfred gathered memories to give to the elderly people. This shows that he is a good listener and he cares about his elderly friends.

Others might think he isn't listening because he keeps asking the same question.

He learned what a memory was and gave the elderly people a chance to revive their own memories.

Camilla is afraid of what others will think of her. She is most afraid that they will make fun of her because she likes lima beans.

"Yuck!" she said. No one likes lima beans, especially me!"
This shows that she is so concerned about being laughed at that she is willing to continue to endure her "bad case of stripes".

She tries on 42 outfits the day before school. She has to find just the right one because there are so many people to impress.

A typical student with fears about what others think about her. After developing a bad case of stripes, they begin to change depending on the surrounding environment. She is so embarrassed!

The students love her as an object of distraction. They call out patterns and watch her change.
The parents of other students are worried that she may be contagious.
The doctors are intrigued, and each one has a different opinion.

Stubborn, self-conscious, unique

She came to realize that being a little weird is okay.

Knut How One little Polar Bear Captivated the World

Craig Hatkoff and Dr. Gerald R Uhlich

This story is about an orphaned polar bear.

Knut survived through the perseverance not only of a zookeeper named Thomas DorFlein, but also the community at the Zoo Berlin.

The Zoo and community took care of the polar bear when there was no hope left for a polar bear.

inspiring, loving, concerned

Perseverance, Love, All living things deserve a chance, Hope, Survival, inspiration

Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon

Molly Lou Melon was short and small, had buck teeth, and a bullfrog voice.

Walked proudly, smile big, sing out clear and strong. When she went to her new school she scored a touchdown, stacked pennies on her teeth, and sang a song.

Molly Lou Melon has always been told how she can do anything by her grandma. She learns to be proud of who she is by showing the kids at her new school that she is capable even when they put her down. She is a confident, strong character.

Believe in yourself, Be confident in who you are.

Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith

Henry P. Baloney was late for class one too many times.

"Well, I would have been exactly on time," said Henry. "But...I misplaced my trusty Zimulis. Then I...um...found it on my desk."

Imaginative mind, irresponsible, lazy, and great story teller.

He's funny, not truthful, and exaggerates.

Irresponsible, imaginative, lazy

Amelia's family moves around because her father is a migrant worker. Amelia wants to have a feeling of belong to one place and to have a stable home.

"Mama," said Amelia. "Where was I born?" "Where?" said her Mama. "Let me think. It must have been Yuba City because I remember us picking peaches at the time."

Amelia draws a picture at school of a place that is special to her. It is a picture of a house with a large tree. On the way back to the camp, Amelia goes down an "accidental" road as a shortcut and finds a tree very much like the one in her picture. This becomes her place of belonging, a place she can come back to and know it's hers. Before leaving to go to another town, she puts some special things of hers in a metal box and buries them under the tree.

A young girl who wants to have a place to call home. She's very determined to find figure out how she can leave a mark in a town so that people know she was there. Wants a sense of identity.

Sense of belonging; identity

It is the day of the big parade, but it is raining.

"I am JAZMIN, the RAIN STOMPER," she yelled. This shows that she is determined to out-stomp the rain so that the parade can go on as planned.

She stepped out onto her stoop. She lifted her baton and shook it. Jazmin shook her fists. She stomped her feet. She kicked the rain down her steps. She chased the rain into the street. She is determined to out-stomp the rain to make it stop so the children can enjoy the parade.

Jazmin is a young girl who twirls the baton who is excited that it is the day of her big parade. She hates the rain because it ruins parades. She splashes more, higher, and bigger and lead the other children to join in as well, so her parade of puddle splashers out-stomps the rain.

She is excited to twirl her baton and be in a parade.
She is passionate about what she does.
She is determined to make the rain go away.

Passionate, determined, excited

She starts out excited for the parade, is angry that is is raining, decides to do something about it, yells and stomps at the rain, and then is happy at the end when the rain stops and the parade goes on as planned.

Never give up - be determined to meet your goal

The little girl wants to be her own keeper.

She went to the beach by herself. She is naive to what can happen

Very young, enjoys helping, but does not want to be "taken" care of. She is independent

Not helpful, makes messes, a nuisance

naive, independent, carefree

She started out trying to be helpful and independent, but in the end found that having a friend is important in life. Sometimes people need to have others to rely on.

Everybody needs somebody

The boy's seed won'td grow and he worries that the emperor will be disappointed in him. He has an excellent reputation as a gardener, but yet in spite of what he does he cannot get the seed to grow

He apologizes to the emperor for bringing and empty pot on the day of the viewing. (I cannot quote directly because I don't have the book here.)

He waters the seed frequently.
He changes the soil.
He nurtures the seed with all the gardener's knowledge he has, but it still doesn't grow.

The boy is humble and perseverent. He is a capable gardener. He is honest.

Others may think he is a chump for trying so hard or worrying about insulting the emperor.

He was shocked to learn that he would be the new emperor, because of his honest effort to make the seed grow. (All the other children had exchanged their seeds in order to save face.)

The character is discriminated against because he is a Japanese American. He doesn't look like his peers because he is darker skinned and shorter than his peers. He wants to be recognized for his baseball skills.

The boy in the story was able to build his self confidence through bettering his baseball skills. He was accepted, even though he was a Japanese American, by his white peers.

Determination, discrimination