THIRD MARKING PERIOD

Static character- noun. a literary character who remains basically unchanged throughout a work. In the book, a static character who doesn't change at all is Andy Evans (IT).

Developing character- noun. in literature or drama, a character who undergoes a permanent change in outlook or character during the story. A developing character would be Heather after she ditches Melinda in order to hang out with the Marthas after she was finally accepted in a "clan."

Flat character- noun. a literary character whose personality can be defined by one or two traits and does not change in the course of the story. David Petrakis is a flat character because he isn't really described as much in the book unlike other characters.

Round character- noun. a character in fiction whose personality, background, motives, and other features are fully delineated by the author. Heather is a round character because Melinda fully describes her after meeting her.

Symbol- noun. something that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention, especially a material object used to represent something invisible. A symbol used in the book is Melinda's lips. Her lips are always chapped or cracked, but never healed.

Symbolism- noun. the practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character. An example of symbolism is when Melinda fixes her turkey sculpture and places the barbie head inside the turkey and covers the barbie's mouth. (pg. 64)


Vocabulary Terms


Conundrum-noun. anything that puzzles; a riddle, the answer to which involves a pun or play on words. "Conundrum-a three-point vocab word."(pg. 98)

Asylum- noun. an institution for the maintenance and care of the mentally ill, orphans, or other persons requiring specialized assistance. "It is supposed to bore us into submission or prepare us for insane asylum."(pg. 117)

Gargoyle- noun. a grotesquely carved figure of a human or animal."The moon is asleep and I'm sitting on my porch roof like a frozen gargoyle, wondering if the sun is going to blow off the world today and sleep in."(pg. 136)

Imbecile- noun. a dunce; blockhead; dolt; someone with mental retardation and an IQ point of 25-50."It's the blood of imbeciles."(pg. 103)

Vulnerable- adj. capable of or being susceptible to being wounded or hurt, as by a weapon."First off, I don't go through the line for anything, to avoid that vulnerable moment of coming out into the lunchroom, that moment when every head lifts and evaluates: friend, enemy, or loser."(pg. 127)
Discussion Questions: Each answer must include three parts: your answer, a quote from the novel, and an explanation as to why the quote supports your answer.


Discussion Question

· Was being a child better than being a teenager for Melinda? In your answer, discuss what ways it is better to be older, and why it’s hard to be between adulthood and childhood. Melindas childhood was better because thats was when their parents like each other and she had no problems at all. Being old is great because you could do more things than a child can do. But its also hard because you have to do more work and whe nyou are an adult you have to deal with bills and other things.


· Melinda wishes her Science teacher would teach them about love and betrayal instead of about the birds and the bees. In your answer, discuss where we learn about things like that and whether or not we can learn about love from a book.



· Mr. Freeman tells his class, “You must walk alone to find your soul.” In your answer, discuss what this means, if you think it’s true, and what a soul is.


· Mr. Freeman also says, “Art is about making mistakes and learning from them.” In your answer, discuss what else might be like this.
Practice would help you learn from your mistake.


Journal Topics: Each journal entry must use an example from the novel and a personal experience.


· What do report cards really say about people?
students that have good grades means they do care about their life and future and it doesnt matter how you look