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GRADE LEVEL: 5-6 AUTHOR: Mary Haynes THEMES: Conflict escalation, self-esteem, weighing alternatives, nonviolent alternatives, and surprise. SYNOPSIS: Eleven-year-old Molly Hamilton has moved to a new town where everything is different. The girl who "runs" the kids in school is Eloise Higgins, daughter of the mayor and captain of the baseball team. Molly misses her friends in Chicago, but also knows she needs to make friends in her town. Even more distressing is the fact that before school let out, Molly managed to accidentally offend Eloise twice. She becomes friends with eight-year-old Henry Briggs, but also finds an even more interesting ally in Cora Knox Findley, wealthy widow and retired actress. When Molly decides to do a float in the Fourth of July parade, Eloise is incensed and tries to get Molly to back out. Molly stands her ground and ends up, via a judge's error, sharing the prize with Eloise. While the two girls are standing at the podium, Molly thinks fast. She thanks the judges and hustles Eloise off the stage. Off stage, the girls call a truce. While they have not become friends, the war is at least over.
QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTED ANSWERS: Q. Why was Molly upset about moving to West Branch from Chicago? A. Molly's friends were still in Chicago and now that they've moved to the Washington D.C. area, she is finding it hard to make friends. Her parents are also more busy with their new jobs and have less time for Molly. Q. How did Molly offend Eloise? A. During social studies class, the teacher asked Molly about how government in her old city was run and then asked Eloise to compare it for the class, to how West Branch was run. Eloise got embarrassed, and other kids made some disparaging remarks about the town. Eloise took offense towards Molly as though Molly had made her look bad. The next day during music class Eloise's singing was bad and Molly asked to be moved. The other kids felt Molly was wrong to speak up, and began to ignore Molly. Q. How did Molly meet Cora Knox Findley? A. She went for a bike ride and saw her fishing in the river. Molly spoke to her and then continued on her journey. On her way back, she saw Mrs. Findley trying to remove a fish hook from her upper arm. They began talking and Cora told her to come back to the Rose Hill property anytime she liked. Q. Why does Molly order dinner at the Chew and Chat Restaurant? And what happened there? A. Her brother Walter was acting ridiculously and she did not want to offend Eloise again. She sent him out to the car and ordered dinner. While Molly is waiting, Eloise comes up and tells her that they don't want Molly's business. Molly tries to explain, but Eloise just walks off. Q. When Molly and Eloise are on the phone, what happens and with what result? A. Eloise tells Molly that she had better not enter a float in the parade or there will be trouble. Molly tells Eloise that it is a free country - especially on the Fourth of July - and that she will be entering the parade. Q. Other than wanting to spite Eloise, why else does Molly enter the parade? A. She wants to feel more like a part of the town. A sense of belonging is important to her self-esteem. She also doesn't want Eloise be the one to decide who Molly will be in West Branch. Q. Who helps Molly and Henry with their float and what do they choose to do? A. Cora Knox Findley helps them with their float. They decide to do a pantomime baseball skit. Q. How does learning the pantomime help Molly and Henry? A. As they become more and more successful with it, their self esteem rises. Whenever anyone does well at something, they naturally feel better about themselves. Both Molly and Henry needed this boost. Q. What happens when Molly and Henry's float starts out? A. Everyone is watching them, and paying no attention to Eloise's float. This upsets Eloise who starts yelling at her group. Q. Who wins the float competition? A. Molly's float and Eloise's float both win. The judges mistook them for a group entry instead of two separate ones. Q. What do Molly and Eloise do on stage? What happens after that? A. Molly realizes she can't humiliate Eloise again. She steps to the microphone and thanks the judges for the award, and also thanks Eloise for, "leading the way," for them in the parade. Molly leaves the stage with Eloise right behind her. Molly tells Eloise that she doesn't want to be in competition, she just wants to be able to find her own way in her new town. The girls call a truce. While they are not friends, they are no longer enemies Q. How does Molly feel after the truce? A. She is relieved to be able to be a part of things without Eloise's harassment. She is looking forward to making friends and playing baseball in the park. Developed by Teddi Hayes, St. Adalbert School, Cleveland, Ohio.
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