"Baby- Sitters Little Sister #24" by Ann Martin

APA CITATION:

Martin, A. (1992). Baby sitters little sister #24. N.Y.,
         N.Y.: Scholastic.

Summary:

Exposition:  Karen Brewer is a seven year old girl who is learning about wild animals in her school
                     class. The teacher tells the students they will do research on an unfamiliar animal.  They
                     will also be able to go to the city zoo for a field trip.

Conflict:     Karen and other students become sick with the flu and she worries that the class field trip to
                   the zoo will be cancelled.

Rising
Action:      Karen's mother helps Karen recover from the flu over the weekend.  Karen is upset that
                  will not be able to see her "big house" family (her dad's new family due to divorce).

Climax:    Students attend the field trip and learn that their animal sculptures that were part of their
                research are on display at the zoo.
Falling
Action:    Students leave the zoo and return to school.

Resolution: Students arrive at school and thank their teacher before leaving home.

Literary Elements:

Mood:  Ann Martin's choice of setting and images creates a mood of restlessness when Karen is stuck
            at home for several days because she is sick with the flu.  She spent the day in bed watching
            television, sleeping and calling her mother to come to her aid.  She frequently asks if she can go
            to school because she doesn't want to miss the field trip to the zoo.
Foreshadowing:  One by one students get sick in class. Even the teacher falls ill.  Karen worries the
            trip will be cancelled.  The author provides the reader with these clues to create suspense.  The
            reader may predict that Karen will also get sick and wonder if the students will miss the trip.