mockingbird by kathryn erskine sparknotes

The problem is both over-explanation and insufficient examination. Her drawing shows both her strengths and weaknesses: she is wonderful at capturing the outlines of birds, but refuses to use colour.Ī similar neatness characterises the storyline, which proceeds somewhat predictably (though with some nice touches and occasional striking scenes) from problem to solution in just over 200 very readable but rather unmemorable pages, as Caitlin comes to terms with her brother's death and learns how to make friends with her peers. The dictionaries help her locate the precise meanings of such useful but initially out-of-reach concepts as empathy ('to try to feel the way someone else is feeling') and closure ('the act of bringing to an end'). She's awkward, pedantic (she takes to calling her brother 'Devon-who-is-dead' in conversations with her father), and preoccupied – with the twin interests of dictionaries and drawing. She has Asperger's syndrome – which, as the author reminds us in a prefacing note, is 'characterised by awkwardness in social interaction, pedantry in speech and preoccupation with very narrow interests'.Ĭaitlin fulfils this definition very neatly. Such tragic deaths would be hard for anyone to deal with, but for Caitlin they are unusually difficult. Two years ago her mother died of cancer now her beloved older brother Devon has been randomly murdered in a shooting at their American middle school. Describe how Freddie's camp experience helps him recognize the good and bad in everyone.T en-year-old Caitlin Smith is doubly bereaved. Describe the different ways Freddie and his camp friends support one another in the story.ģ. Compare and contrast how Freddie's school friends are alike and how they are different from his camp friends.Ģ.

Compare and contrast the differences between lions, gazelles, meerkats and fleas. Which is lucky, because a Category 5 hurricane is coming and everyone will have to work together-lions and fleas alike-to survive!ġ.

But in between trust-building exercises and midnight escape attempts, a tenuous friendship grows between them.

Fifth grade is off to a terrible start when Frederick is sent to a disciplinary camp for troublesome boys. There are meerkats, and the fleas…Frederick is a flea. Frederick Frederickson has a food-chain theory about life.

Mockingbird by kathryn erskine sparknotes