Erskine, K. (2010). Mockingbird . New York, NY: Philomel Books.
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine is a 2011 Notable Children's Book and National Book Award Winner.
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| National Book Award Winner |
Exposition: Caitlin and her father have been visited by neighbors and relatives during their time of grief, Devon, Caitlin's brother has died.
Conflict: The school counselor and Caitlin's father are trying to help her cope with the loss of her brother Devon but with Caitlin's Asperger's it takes extra effort for all involved, including the main character.
Conflict: The school counselor and Caitlin's father are trying to help her cope with the loss of her brother Devon but with Caitlin's Asperger's it takes extra effort for all involved, including the main character.
Rising Action: At school, Caitlin visits the counselor and needs constant guidance, she is a child with Asperger's that needs to learn how to cope with daily situations besides all the trauma that Devon's death has caused to her and her father. Caitling learns a new word... closure.
Climax: Caitlin is looking for closure for her father, she becomes friends with Michael, a younger child whose mother was killed in the same shooting as Devon, they share new experiences together and somehow Caitlin knows what to do for closure. Caitlin convinces her father that they must complete Devon's project: a chest for the Eagle Scouts.
Falling Action: Caitlin and her father complete the Eagle Scout's chest that was so important for Devon and Caitlin finally realizes that she is able to feel empathy for those around her that are suffering.
Resolution: Caitlin and her father donate the Eagle Scout's chest to the Middle School where Devon was killed, this will bring closure to the community, especially Caitlin and her father.
Personal Reaction:
This realistic fiction story presents the reader with different conflicts, story uses literary qualities such as precise vocabulary, lots of unexpected insights and more. Precise vocabulary is one of the main qualities of the story because the main character is constantly interested in learning new vocabulary and when she finally learns and really understands what closure means, her point of view and purpose change. The unexpected insights add to the story, when Caitlin is going through problems and becomes aware of different circumstances, the reader can conclude the changes of this troubled child.
This realistic fiction story presents the reader with different conflicts, story uses literary qualities such as precise vocabulary, lots of unexpected insights and more. Precise vocabulary is one of the main qualities of the story because the main character is constantly interested in learning new vocabulary and when she finally learns and really understands what closure means, her point of view and purpose change. The unexpected insights add to the story, when Caitlin is going through problems and becomes aware of different circumstances, the reader can conclude the changes of this troubled child.
