Book Synopsis:The One Left Behind

Title:The One Left Behind

Author:Willo Davis Roberts

Publication Date:2007

Page Count:144

Type:Fiction

Started On:8/29/07

Finished On:9/7/07

My Grade:B

Why did I decide to read this book?

- I decided to read this book was because the cover got my attention at first. I read the back of the cover which looked like something I would be interested in reading. So I asked the library teacher if she read it and like it she said that it would be a book that I would like. I was going to pick author book but i really liked that book.It was only one hundred and forty four pages so i figured even if I didn't like it that it wouldn't be a waste of my time.

Plot summary.

- This book is about ten year old girl named Mandy that lost her twin sister around 2 years ago due to food poisoning. The rest of her family had moved on with their lives. Now that her family have things of their own to do and her best friend (which was her sister) is gone she has no one. Her family go in ten thousand different directions over the long week end all thinking that another has Mandy, they end up leaving her home alone with only the dog and the memories of her sister to keep her company. As the week end went on she noticed some weird things happening and decides to investigate. She comes across a wrecked car with a boy that kidnapped his baby brother to save him from being kidnapped by real kidnappers and they are now running away from those kidnappers. She ends up getting in the middle of trying to help them and gets herself in trouble and they all have to relay on getting help now.

What was the setting and why was it important?

- The setting is a house on a beach that is on the opposite side of a small town. The house is located where it is isolated from mostly everything and everyone. The only things around is the ocean, a wooded area, a old small cottage, and an deserted lighthouse. The story takes place on Labor Day weekend. The setting is important because the family goes different places over the weekend. Since they left Mandy behind and they live so isolated from everything else no one knows she is alone or may possibly be in trouble.

Who are the main characters and what role do they play?

- Their are a couple main characters. Mandy and her dog is the most important. Her dog was the only character that was always their for her. Mandy was the girl left alone and helped the next main character named Zander short for Alexander. Zander was the boy that kidnapped his brother dusty so he would be saved from the two real kidnappers. The Carol was Zander and dusty's babysitter and the sister of one of the kidnappers. Their was also Uncle Frank who was schizophrenic and he ends up saving the day.

What is/are the main conflicts?

- The main conflicts are Mandy being lonely because her twin died. She was also scared that someone was breaking into their house and stealing things while she was home alone. The conflicts involving Zander was he over heard the kidnappers were planning to kidnap his baby brother. He decides to take him himself which causes the kidnapper to find him. The last conflict is that Mandy gets involved and Zander, dusty and herself were trying not to get caught.

Describe the Climax.

- The climax begins when the kidnappers come to Mandy's house and asks if anything supicicious has happened. Mandy knows their was but says nothing. Then she finds Zander and Dusty and ends up in the middle of everything. Then it gets worse when Zander tries to drive the kidnappers car with Mandy, Dusty, and Mandy's dog in it.They end up getting caught and the kidnappers take them to their motel. There they threaten to kill Mandy and Zander so they can't tell the real story. Then they would get ransom money for Dusty from his parents.

Significance of the title , is it approprite would you change it.

- I think the title fits very well. It defiantly describes how Mandy feels throughout the whole book. It also tells how she is alone all the time. Everyone leaves her behind when they go their separate ways so the title is perfect. I wouldn't change it at all.

Opinion.

- I though the book was alright. IT wasn't really the greatest, but it was pretty interesting. I thought the ending was pretty dumb because it didn't seem very realistic. I would read a book like that again, but it wouldn't be my first choice. For the most part it was good.