Surviving the Applewhites

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Summary: Applewhite's Talent
Review: Jake Semple is a scary kid. Rumors say that he burned down one of his own schools! He was kicked out of every school in Rhode Island, except "The Creative Academy". Since his aunt and uncle own the school, Jake got off easy. Now he must live with his aunt, uncle, annoying cousins, and grandfather.Will Jake survive with the Applewhites? Read "Survivng the Applewhites" to find out!

I thought this book was interesting. Since all the Applewhites had talent, except for E.D., Jake didn't fit in because he was punk. The person I liked best was Destiny, E.D. and Cordelia's little brother. Density wanted to be just like Jake. The ending really surprised me! I recommend this book to kids who like art and kids like Jake!

By: Lizzy

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Summary: Surviving the Applewhites- GEE WIZZZZ What a GREAT BOOK
Review: Jake Semple is probably one of the most evil kids you could meet. Well that's what E.d. Applewhite thought of him when she first saw him. Maybe it was the red spiked hair or all of his piercings but she didn't like him. Jake Semple was kicked out of almost every school in Road Island for almost every thing you could think of. He even burned one school down. After his parents went to jail for selling marijuana to an undercover cop Jake was sent to live with his uncle down south. He got kicked out of another school and then his uncle decided to send him to the Applewhite's to straighten him out. The Applewhites were a family that formed there own school when the public school wouldn't let one of the kids give the Zebra purple stripes. When he arrives he experiences the oddity of the place, in the home school all the students make there own curriculum. And how all the people who live on the farm are as weird as they can get. Mr.Applewhite is a director of local plays an is a starving artist, their uncle makes strange coffee tables and all the children aimlessly mill about on the farm all day. During Jake's first few days at the applewhites he spent the entire time trying to convince himself that he was going to escape or that it would never change him.

I think that this book was an excellent book for anybody who likes to read about troubled people. This book is a quick read and is good for pretty much anybody who likes to read. I give these book 2 thumbs up.

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Summary: A Book Sure to Please Reluctant Readers!
Review: Jake Semple, has been a school problem and is finally placed in the Creative Academy owned by the Applewhites who allow much flexibility and choice in the matter of study and curriculum, and they are also as "different" in "different" ways as is Jake. In time Jake's life begins to change for the better as he interacts with the family and their "quirky" ways. Young people will find areas of empathy and understanding as they relate to the characters in their many humorous and varied situations.
Even reluctant readers will find this book enjoyable!
Evelyn Horan - teacher/counselor/author
Jeannie, A Texas Frontier Girl Books One -Three

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Summary: A Good Book for a Troubled Youth!
Review: Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan is a book that has literary merit throughout. There are many different characters in the Applewhites' household such as E.D., Jake, Lucille, Randolph, Destiny, Zedediah, Cordelia, Wolfie, and more. The author does a good job of making the characters believable and real. Initially, you learn about Jake Semple as this scary kid that, " . . . had been kicked out of the public schools in the whole state of Rhode Island," but the author takes you further by taking Jake to the only place that would take him outside of juvenile hall, the Applewhites' household. Here, the eccentric family has an effect on Jake that begins to change him and turns him into this dynamic character, " . . . the Jake he knew, the Jake he had always been, was disappearing . . . there was nothing-nobody-to put in his place." There is also this continuous struggle between E.D. and Jake that sets up the protagonist and antagonist element in the story. "Jake looked her square in the eye and lit the cigarette. He took a long drag and blew the smoke directly into her face so that she had to close her eyes and hold her breath from choking on it."
There some major themes, which occur in the book, that draw the reader in to find the answers. Will the Applewhites be able to rehabilitate Jake Semple? E.D. does not think so. "No one had managed to break Grandpa's adopted parrot of swearing. E.D. suspected they would not have any better luck with Jake Semple." Later another theme arises, when Randolph's play is cancelled, the family must decide to pull their talents together and help or let the play fail. "Maybe they could fix that. They'd have to build a stage and find some lights and some sound equipments and some chairs for the audience. They'd have to do publicity. Sell tickets. Could they?"
This book would appeal to anyone who likes contemporary realistic fiction or likes a hilarious story about an eccentric family that comes together to overcome a problem. This also might be a good book for a troubled youth to read, because it shows that given a second chance and the right environment even "bad kids" can change for the better. In a general education classroom, the book might be used to stimulate discussions about how families come in all different shapes and sizes, or to talk about how humor is used in literature to stimulate interest. In a special education classroom, particularly an emotional support classroom, the book could be used to discuss the importance of not giving up on yourself and the importance finding what gives you joy.

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Summary: Student Review from Kutztown University
Review: Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan is a terrific book with high literary merit. It is my opinion that this book would be terrific for children ages 10 and up. The vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for this level reader, as well as an interesting, which will entice the children or adult to continue reading. The characters are all realistic and readers can relate to the story, as it is such a true example of what some people go through in life. The story begins when Jake Semple arrives at the Applewhites because he has been kicked out of every other school. His parents are in jail and he has been living with his grandfather. The only place that will accept him is the home of the Applewhites. The Applewhite family have their own home schooling program called "The Creative Academy" with a philosophy that "education is an adventurous quest for the meaning of life, involving an ability to think things through" (p. 27). It isn't until the Sound of Music begins that Jake starts to see where his talents are and who he really is. Although this story is about a boy in trouble and how he finds himself, so to speak, it also refers to a lesson we all learn in life. Never judge a book by its cover; Jake appeared to look like a troublemaker and be very mean. However, as the story moves on, he almost takes over the role of being Destiny's guardian. Not only does he take care of Destiny, but he begins to love him like a little brother. Another lesson, as a future teacher, is never give up on a child. There is always some talent a child has that will enhance their learning ability. In the story, after a review of the Sound of Music, one reporter wrote, "Jake Semple turned in a performance equal to any in this impressive production. We expect to hear more from this young man with the mellifluous singing voice. Jake looked up mellifluous...flowing with honey or sweetness. Never had anyone mentioned sweetness and Jake Semple in the same sentence before" (p. 213). Once Jake found his love for the theatre, everything was more enjoyable for him.
I think this book would be enjoyed by all students, especially those who are having difficulties in life and aren't really sure where they belong. Additionally, this book would be very interesting for those who might enjoy acting and/or the theatre. As a teacher, this would be a great book to use in the classroom as it teaches many lessons in life. This book will keep the children interested and they will not want to put the book down because they will be anxious to see what happens to Jake. In the end, Jake realizes that he does not have to look any different than other people to be special. He can be himself and still be special in more ways than by having "scarlet spiked hair, a silver ring through one dark brown eyebrow, and too many earrings to count" (p. 1). We are all different and special in our own way and this book is a great example of not giving up until we find that special talent which will enhance all our other abilities.

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Summary: Surviving The Applewhites
Review: Surviving the Applewhites Harper Trophy, 2003, 224 pp.
Stephanie S. Tolan $5.99 ISBN: 0064410447

Smoking, cursing, moving, burning down schools, it's all a part of basic everyday life for Jake Semple. For a kid with long, spiked, scarlet hair, all black clothes, and an attitude of a stubborn bull, Jake Semple is not really that bad. He does everything for himself so you don't even know he's around. But when he starts freeing goats, causing fires at theaters, and turning your own dog against you, he becomes a little more noticeable.
I thought this book was great! If you like books that are hard to put down, this is the book for you. The more I read, the more caught up in the story I got. When the character felt embarrassment, I did too. When the character was ashamed, I was too. The story in itself is irresistibly incredible. I would recommend this to anybody and everybody who loves interesting books, about interesting kids, trying to live a normal life.

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Summary: Go and Read Surviving the Applewhites
Review: Surviving the Applewhites is a book about a teenage kid named Jake. Jake is one of those kids you would call a hommy. Jake is a kid that smokes and drinks all the time. Then Jake was about 10 he burned down his school and was kicked out of all the schools in his home state. Then he was sent to North Carolina and was kicked out of there too. Another chariter in the book is E.D. E.D. is Jake's girl friend. Jake knows she hates the smell of the cigarette smoke. The next ade last place Jake will go to school at is the applewhites.

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Summary: Surviving the Applewhites
Review: Surviving The Applewhites is a fiction novel by Stephani S. Tolan, I would recommend this book to people who like to ready about adventure, becuase this book takes you from the family that goes thier seperate ways to the family who works together and accomplishs one big important thing.

Jake Semple was sent to the last school possible, The Creative Accademy. The rumor was he burnt down his old school. when he gets to Wits End E.D. doesn't like the fact that Jake is comming to live with her and her family. jake says "yeah well i don't intend to be here long anyway." Good E.D. thought "Where do you intend to go?" "Rhode island." "If you go back they're going to send you to juvenile hall. they must have some kind of school there. you'd probably like it better than this one." The Applewhites are big on setting your own path, and art. E.D. has to take care of Jake at first until he gets used to the way things are there. Randolf Applewhite and director gets to direct The Sound of Music. He casts Jake as Rolf. As the story goes on Jake becomes more and more of a good kid. He starts to relize that he doesn't want to be bad anymore. When jake and Randolf go to rehersals, One of the cast members falls off the stage and breaks her arm. So Randolf has to cast his son Destiny, a hyper little boy, with a big imagination, as Gretle, but changes Gretle to be Hans the little boy obsessed over hats. Mrs. Montrose cancels the show because Randolf didn't choose her daughter for the Gretle part, so The Applewhites had to think of something fast, E.D. thought they could have the show in thier barn, so the whole Applewhite family gets together to build the stage and get it ready for the show. On the opening night, the show is going good until they run into somebad wheather and all the lights go out. E.D. had to think of something, What would you do? read the book and find out!

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Summary: Surviving the Applewhites
Review: Surviving the Applewhites is a very well written book. It's filled with comedy and good meaning. The story is about Jake Semple, a young man with a bad attitude. After being kicked out of all the available schools, he attends the Creative Academy which is run by the Applewhite family. There he discovers a new way of life. I would say this book is meant for people age 11 and up who like to laugh as well as read books about how people can change their lives.

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Summary: Surviving the Applewhites
Review: Surviving the Applewhites is about a kid named Jake Semple. People say that Jake burned down his old school and then was kicked out of every other school in his home state.A few weeks into September, the middle school in Traybridge, North Carolina has throw him out too.
Now there's only one place left that will take him. A home school run by the most outrageous, chaotic, forgetful family you will ever meet!

By: Ryon