Surviving the Applewhites

Surviving the Applewhites

Cover of Surviving the Applewhites
Author Stephanie S. Tolan
Original title Surviving the Applewhites
Cover artist Laurie Keller (2004 HarperTrophy edition)
Country United States
Language English
Genre Fiction
Publisher HarperCollins
Publication date
2002
Media type Hardcover
Pages 216
Awards Newbery Honor
ISBN 0-06-623602-9

Surviving the Applewhites is a 2002 children's novel by Stephanie S. Tolan. The book received a 2003 Newbery Honor and many other awards.

Summary

Jake has been kicked out of every public school in Rhode Island—in fact, he started a fire in the last one he attended. This 13-year-old protagonist is troubled and misguided. During the opening chapter of Surviving the Applewhites, the reader learns that both of his parents are in jail due to growing marijuana in their basement. Consequently, Jake struggles to make sense of the world and discover his true self amid the turmoil of his family life. Following his arsonistic incident, Jake's grandfather, Henry Dugan, is fed up with his teenage rebelliousness. Dugan arranges for Jake's placement in a home-school run by an eccentric family of artists, the Applewhites. Their educational framework, trademarked as The Creative Academy, is nothing short of unorthodox. Now, Jake is challenged with navigating academic, social, and emotional life among the offbeat Applewhites. He becomes acquainted with E.D., the 12-year-old only regular person of the Applewhite clan. Together, they recognize their differences, build on each other's strengths, and find ways to succeed.

Characters

E.D. Applewhite is one of the main characters in the story. She is named after Edith Wharton, and thrives on a sense of organization and structure, while the rest of her family is spontaneous and craves freedom.

Jake Semple is one of the main characters of the story. He is unsure about his feelings because his parents are in prison and he's been expelled from several schools. If Jake does not adjust to life with the Applewhites, he will be placed in a juvenile detention facility.

Henry Dugan is Jake's grandfather. He pushes for Jake to "enroll" at The Creative Academy.

Cordelia Applewhite is the creative and independent older sister of E.D.

Archie Applewhite is a wood sculptor, and the brother of Randolph Applewhite. He is married to Lucille.

Destiny Applewhite is E.D.'s four-year-old brother. He is very active and asks many questions

Hal Applewhite is the mysterious reclusive brother of E.D., Cordelia, and Destiny. He is a sculptor in most of the book.

Randolph Applewhite is the father of the Applewhite children. He has shaggy dark hair and a goatee.

Sybil Jameson is the mother of the Applewhite children. She has glasses and she is a famous detective writer.

Winston, is the family dog, and he follows Jake all the time.

Lucille Applewhite is the wife of Archie. She is a poet. She lives life in a very happy state.

Jeremy Bernstein is a young journalist who moves in with the Applewhite's to document their artistic endeavors.

Themes and motifs

Stephanie S. Tolan weaves different themes and motifs throughout Surviving the Applewhites. Flowers are one example:

Awards

Surviving the Applewhites was named a Newbury Honor book in 2003[1] and ALA Booklist Editors’ choice and Book Links Lasting Connection.

References

Tolan, Stephanie S. Surviving the Applewhites. HarperCollinsPublishers Inc: New York, 2002 B002MWIEGG

  1. Association for Library Service to Children. "2003 Newbery Medal and Honor Books". ALSC. Retrieved 4 April 2015.

Bibliography

Awards
Preceded by
Jack Mandelbaum
Winner of the
William Allen White Children's Book Award
Grades 6–8

2005
Succeeded by
The City of Ember
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