The story is about two twins who go through life being in foster care. They are known as the “trouble twins” because they seem to end up causing problems wherever they go. The twins, Dallas and Florida, experience horrible homes where they are locked in basements and forced to work. Every time, they end back at the orphanage under the care of the Trepid’s. Dallas and Florida are miserable there as are the Trepid’s when the twins are around. When Tiller and Sairy come to the orphanage to take home two kids who will help them on trips, Dallas and Florida are elected to go with them.
The twins are weary of this new home and plan to take the night train out of town but the nice home, good food, and comfortable living situation convinces them to stay. Even after exploring the holler, working with Tiller and Sairy, and enjoying their new life, the twins still run away only to be found. Each twin is to go on a trip with their new caretaker so they spend time packing, living off the land and camping. When the trips go wrong, the twins return home with Tiller and Sairy to find that someone has been snooping around the holler. Tiller has a heart attack, which brings home Tiller and Sairy’s children leaving Dallas and Florida feeling like they’ve been replaced. The story ends happily though with the twins finally feeling at home and cared for.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Literary Elements
Plot:
A chronological plot with multiple conflicts (person-against-self and person-against-person)
Twins Dallas and Florida have spent their lives in foster homes and an orphanage, always dreaming of having a home and family of their own. Their lives are changed when they are sent to live with Tiller and Sairy, an older couple who live in a wonderful place called Ruby Holler. Tiller and Sairy's children are grown, and they are restless and need an adventure in their lives. After learning to trust each other, all of their dreams come true. Florida and Dallas feel loved and safe, while Tiller and Sairy feel needed again, and have a purpose in life.
A chronological plot with multiple conflicts (person-against-self and person-against-person)
Twins Dallas and Florida have spent their lives in foster homes and an orphanage, always dreaming of having a home and family of their own. Their lives are changed when they are sent to live with Tiller and Sairy, an older couple who live in a wonderful place called Ruby Holler. Tiller and Sairy's children are grown, and they are restless and need an adventure in their lives. After learning to trust each other, all of their dreams come true. Florida and Dallas feel loved and safe, while Tiller and Sairy feel needed again, and have a purpose in life.
Characters:
Main characters: Dallas, Florida, Tiller, Sairy, Mr. Trepid, Z
Minor characters: Mrs. Trepid, Morgan, The Hoppers, The Cranbeps, The Dreeps, The Burgertons, Joey, Buddy, Lucy
Setting: Boxton Creek Home for Children, Ruby Holler, a hiking trail, The Hidden and Goochee Rivers
Time: Modern Times
Theme: The love of a family and having a home are the most important things in a child's life.
Style:
Words: Standard dialect, emotional, humorous, poignant.
Sentences: Varied in length and structure
Organization: Chapters with titles
Point of view: Third-person narrator
Most Important Issues
The important issues from the book are honesty, trust and family.
The Trepid’s do not care adequately for the children under their supervision and even try to steal from Tiller and Sairy. Mr. Trepid’s employee, Z, is trying to steal money from Tiller and Sairy for Mr. Trepid but once he figures out what Mr. Trepid is up to, he reports to Tiller and Sairy. He is honest about what is happening in the holler and his role in it. The Trepid’s are often dishonest with people they come in contact with. Students will learn how to be honest and take responsibility for their actions.
Dallas and Florida have an incredible bound and trust each other on every issue. They rely on each other to be taken care of, supported, and loved. The twins are very hesitant to trust Tiller and Sairy because of all the ways they’ve been cheated in life. It takes patience, persistence, and time before they trust their new caretakers. The twins are a good example for children to see the importance of trusting people but also how to earn trust.
Family is a major issue in this book because Dallas and Florida experience life without knowing their mother and family. They are bounced between homes and only have each other. They are family to one another. When they live with Tiller and Sairy, they hear stories about their family but still are outsiders. It’s not until they all experience challenges, have trust, and show love that the twins consider Tiller and Sairy family. Children can learn that family can be anyone who loves you, cares for you, and supports you.
The Trepid’s do not care adequately for the children under their supervision and even try to steal from Tiller and Sairy. Mr. Trepid’s employee, Z, is trying to steal money from Tiller and Sairy for Mr. Trepid but once he figures out what Mr. Trepid is up to, he reports to Tiller and Sairy. He is honest about what is happening in the holler and his role in it. The Trepid’s are often dishonest with people they come in contact with. Students will learn how to be honest and take responsibility for their actions.
Dallas and Florida have an incredible bound and trust each other on every issue. They rely on each other to be taken care of, supported, and loved. The twins are very hesitant to trust Tiller and Sairy because of all the ways they’ve been cheated in life. It takes patience, persistence, and time before they trust their new caretakers. The twins are a good example for children to see the importance of trusting people but also how to earn trust.
Family is a major issue in this book because Dallas and Florida experience life without knowing their mother and family. They are bounced between homes and only have each other. They are family to one another. When they live with Tiller and Sairy, they hear stories about their family but still are outsiders. It’s not until they all experience challenges, have trust, and show love that the twins consider Tiller and Sairy family. Children can learn that family can be anyone who loves you, cares for you, and supports you.
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