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Surviving the Applewhites
by Stephanie Tolan
(discussion 8/1 - 8/31/2004)
Monday, August 02, 2004
In the book Surviving the Applewhites Jake Semple, juvenile
delinquent, has come to the end of the line. No school will take this
troubled, and troublesome, teen. The only option left is for Jake to live
and be homeschooled at the Applewhites. What do you think of Jake's
situation? How would you feel if your parents opened your home to someone
like Jake? Is this a wise move for the Applewhites?
posted by shadowkitty 8/2/2004
12:14:11 PM
Thursday, August 05, 2004
Hey! Im moving! So I was wondering if I could stay in this? And if i can I
would like to change my screenname? Oh I was going to buy Surviving the
applebees but I didn't have enough money! I really want to read it!!
posted by pottergrl004 8/5/2004
05:55:30 PM
Friday, August 06, 2004
I just started this book and there is no way I would want this Jake Semple
guy living in my house or in school with me. I mean he is really bad news.
There's even a little kid in the Applewhite family - and they want him to
interact with this juvenile delinquent?? I hope this story turns out ok.
Seems like there's only one person in the family with commonsense so far.
posted by minadancer 8/6/2004
02:35:05 PM
Monday, August 09, 2004
Personally I can side with Jake. I don't really think that Jake is so bad,
he just hasn't found out what he might be good at. As for all those pranks,
serious as they may be, they are just a plea for attention. But just look
where all that landed him, right in a house full of crazy people. Ok, so
maybe not crazy, crazy but artistic wacko's all the same. If you ask me
Jake is the more level headed one. Now E.D. is a piece of work. She is just
a little too intense for me. I can see how she would not like Jake right
off. It gets alot more interesting to see the two of them try and interact.
posted by daisymaisy 8/9/2004
04:28:05 PM
im moving far away but still in il. im gioin to a new school im moving
the 15 ill tell you all about it
posted by sportzgirl 8/9/2004
09:51:30 PM
sportzgirl, I just read that you are moving!! Are you moving far away or
just to a new home close by? You could tell us what it is like to move to a
new neighborhood and meet new friends. Will you be going to a new school?
Are you looking forward to new adventures?
In Surviving the Applewhites, Jake has to move in with a strange family and
be homeschooled. That must be really hard. Maybe that's part of the reason
he acts so bad.
We definitely want you to stay in the book club! Email
me and tell me what you want your screenname to be.
posted by shadowpuppy 8/9/2004
05:10:35 PM
Sunday, August 15, 2004
Ok, I finished the book. In the end I really started to like Jake. E.D.
really needed someone like him in her life - to make her a little more
real. She was so very full of herself until he started challenging her
without really knowing he was. The Applewhites as a family are strange. I
guess that's what happens with all those creative artistic personalities in
one household. Still I think that this family, with its strange structure,
was what Jake needed. With minimal rules and a chance to succeed at
something, Jake seems to change into a nice person.
posted by minadancer 8/15/2004
01:20:38 PM
Monday, August 16, 2004
I'm really reading this book slow! I'm only about half-way through. I like
Jake. I think he just wants some attention. I mean, his parents are in
jail! He didn't even know his grandfather, till he got shipped down there
to live with him. He's been moved from school to school. No wonder he has
problems, no one has ever taken the time to know him.
The thing is, E.D. is the same way. She feels like she doesn't belong in
her family of artists, and that everyone ignores her.
They are two of a kind.
Then there is Destiny! I guess he is supposed to be cute...always asking
questons. He would drive me nuts!!! Actually, I think this whole family
would drive me nuts :)
posted by avdandrea 8/16/2004
02:35:18 PM
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Ok - Let's look at the other, secondary, characters in this book and how
they relate to Jake and E.D. The Applewhites are artists, of various types.
Destiny at four years old is "trouble." Each of the Applewhites
seem to have "ego" issues. Why would a person like Jake fit in
with this family, or be able to negotiate living with them. E.D. has her
own talents, though not "artsy" she is gifted. What is the
problem/problems she faces being a part of this family? Is she more like
the other Applewhites than she realizes?
posted by shadowkitty 8/18/2004
02:03:24 PM
Monday, August 23, 2004
Is there a difference between saying that the Applewhites all have
"egos," but Jake has an "attitude?" Does ego imply one
thing and attitude imply another? Is one OK and the other not OK?
posted by shadowpuppy 8/23/2004
10:09:49 PM
Monday, August 30, 2004
I think E.D. is like the others, she just won't admit it. She needs to
be tops in her world - the most important, creative, etc., just like the
others. Her way just isn't as artsy - but more as a person who needs to
excel at learning and setting up what she is learning. Jake has more
"attitude" than ego. He doesn't really like himself, or where he
comes from. He is uncomfortable with where he is at emotionally. The
Applewhites are egotistical - each one feels he or she is more important
and more creative than the others. I think Jake has had a very positive
impact on E.D. and that she has been good for him. Having him living and
going to "School" with E.D. created a sort of competition that
she needed. I really liked this story. It ended way more positively than I
would have thought at the beginning.
posted by minadancer 8/30/2004
02:23:10 PM
Dallas and Florida are known as the "trouble twins" at the
orphanage where they live, The Boxton Creek Home. The twins have been in
various foster homes, always looking for the warmth of a real home and
family, but continually ending up back at the orphanage. Into thier lives
come Tiller and Sairy, an eccentric old couple who each longs for one more
adventure before they are too old to travel. Ruby Holler written by Sharon
Creech is the story of these people and how they find there way. Discuss
the twists and turns of this tale and it's characters with us on Blogger
Book Club beginning Wednesday, September 1.
posted by shadowkitty 8/30/2004
03:05:59 PM
Hey this is sportz grl but now known as pottergrl004 ok now what shall i
tell you about moving.... well i already miss all my friends!!:-( my new
school is pretty nice but i like my old schoool better especially because i
knew everyone there!! ive made a couple new friends and since im not used
to catching the bus everyday its nice to have a friend there! my new
neighborhood is pretty nice my new temporary house has an awesome climbing
tree. its akwerd not knowning anybody. the biggest thing i miss are MY
FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!! well thats all for now!!
posted by pottergrl004 8/30/2004
06:52:56 PM
I liked Surviving the Applewhites a whole lot. All of the characters
were unique, but they were also like your friends...maybe I just have some
wierd friends :)
posted by avdandrea 8/31/2004
11:42:04 PM
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