Significance: I thought this story definitely taught me the importance of not judging a book by the cover. A boy named Jake Semple who is known as a “bad boy” only because he looks scary with his scarlet red hair spiked into individual points on his head, his all black wardrobe, and too many earrings to count. In this society it would be considered kind of cool, but to this country side town, just by looking at him made them back off. He had gotten kicked out of all of the schools in his hometown, and a generous home schooled family decided to give him a chance, and except him into there family learning styles. This is a family that looked past his bad boy rep, and accepted him for who he really was: a talented little caterpillar, waiting to crack out of his cocoon.
Perspective: This story was written by Newbery Honor author: Stephanie S. Tolan. I liked how the perspective of this story was told between 2 main characters: Jake, and E.D. I liked how E.D was part of the family, and was really the only person who hated having Jake stay in her house. Jake also hated being accustomed to there weird traditions, but over time, both of them make the best with the situation. Both characters are totally different, but at the end, they become the best of friends. I also learned that sometimes the story changes when another person tells it. They each may leave out very important details.
Evidence: I believe that this story is sort of old because Jake smokes, and our society doesn’t allow kids to smoke. I felt that the author really used detail to paint a picture of the story in my head because. All of the details in the story are factual which made it way easier to read the story. The fact this story is telling us is to realize that everyone has a good part in there body, and by being surrounded with loving people would help you change. The outside of someone isn’t nearly as important as the inside.
Connection: I would say that I would totally relate to E.D because she doesn’t like her family, or thinks that she doesn’t fit in with the family most of the times because she is neat, organized, and very independent as opposed to her family which are messy, obnoxious, and very social people. For me I feel that I am more independent than my family, and that I am more of a fun person than they are. The connection between E.D, and Jake is very negative now, but overtime I feel that they could probably end up to be in a very interesting relationship together. (Boyfriend/ Girlfriend) I find it cool that 2 people that may look totally different end up being so alike.
Suppositions: If the author chooses to write a sequel, I think it should focus more on E.D and Jake together. It should also focus on the potential of E.D, and Jake’s creative talent. If this story was told from someone else’s point of view like Destiny (the younger brother of E.D) it would probably be less detailed, and there would be a more basic plot. I like it better when there is an older point of view to the story. That way I can totally relate. If Jake was not an appalling guy, and he was more…. Nerdy, then the story would be totally different. First of all, E.D and Jake would be best friends. Plus, Jake wouldn’t like the home school, but only because it wasn’t traditional, and he wasn’t being taught enough. If you change one little detail in the story, the whole story could change dramatically.
