1. Give a brief summary of the plot in about ½ to 1 page. Tell the story and describe what happens at the end.
The story ‘A small free kiss in the dark’ By Glenda Millard, is based on an article she read about urban tribes, and homeless people. This part of the book starts when Skip, a small 12-year-old boy runs away from home because his foster parents abuse him. He takes with him only his dads coat and a few cans of food. When he is walking he sees a guy who doesn’t look rich or wealthy, the exact opposite, he looked homeless. Skip followed him and when the guy finally noticed he introduced himself as Billy. At first they have their complications but Skip and Billy become great friends. Billy learns that Skip has a talent for drawing art. Each week Billy uses half of his unemployment money to buy Billy crayons, where he draws beautiful paintings all over the floors. One day Billy and Skip were in the public library when they heard bombs. This started the next chapter of the book; War. They found themselves hiding inside with a couple of older women, as well as a young 6 yr old boy by the name of Max. His mum had been on her usual Monday routine, by which she drops Max off at the library as she goes and buys him dinner. Skip and everyone else, slept overnight in the library, as many people tried to find the dead bodies after the front of the library collapsed; caused by a bomb. After 3 days of sitting there, Skip and Billy decide to go, but then they saw Max who’s mum still hadn’t returned. So as much as Max despised the idea, he tagged along with Skip and Billy, hoping they wouldn’t go far, so he could return to his mum. Well he was wrong. As more bombs shattered the city, Billy, Skip and Max were forced to go north, walking underground with many other people who had the same idea. Skips dad called them the third army, the people who didn’t get involved with war. Upon reaching a deserted show grounds which became their home, they saw a girl sitting their with her baby, but as soon as they went to talk to her she would run away, sometimes leaving the baby behind. But after many days, she knew they wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon. So she slowly talked to them, and made friends. Then the army moved their base to the showground’s. Which made it harder to get food and essentials. So they plan an escape. But Tia (the girl) keeps interacting with the male soldiers, dancing for them. Skip thought she was being selfish and inappropriate, but the night before their planned escape, Tia came into Skips room and Kissed him, she then asked him to promise her that whatever happens to her, that Skip would look after sixpence (her baby) That morning they were planning their escape when Skip heard the soldiers laughing, Skip went to see and found Tia dancing. Skip soon realized she was risking her life to distract them for us. So quickly they jumped in the armies van. But soon enough a soldier noticed and got out his gun, just as he shot the bullet Tia jumped in front of it, Whilst Billy defended them, Skip placed Tia in the Back of the car, and held on to Sixpence. Billy made a leap for the car and they hurried off with gunshots being shot at them. Another soldier from the enemy team was also in the car, but he wasn’t their enemy, he felt sorry for them so also risked his life. They kept driving till eventually they got to this old deserted farm, where Max’s deceased granddad lived, and where they; as a family, would now live.
2. Explain the significance of the title (3 or 4 sentences). Authors do not choose a title randomly. Usually the tile is symbolic in some way.
The title of the Book ‘A small free kiss in the dark’ is based on the very last scenes of the book, when Tia sees Skip for the last time before her death. As they are sleeping in the haunted house, she goes up to skip and wakes him up, Skip who has feelings for Tia goes to giver her a necklace she had bought for her, but before he could she gave him a small free kiss in the dark. And then she left. Skip treasured that kiss, he said ‘ anyone could’ve paid Tia for a kiss and got one, but mine, well mine was special, it was a small free kiss in the dark.’
3. Describe the setting and genre – time period, location, etc. (5-10 sentences)
Well I think that the setting isn’t too old fashioned, or too modern. Because we still have homeless people, and people who are discriminated in today’s society. We also have young girls such as Tia who get pregnant at very early ages, and we still have libraries. But I don’t think its too modern either, cause nothing is mentioned of mobile phones, computers, and the show grounds are deserted, like I can never imagine Movie world being deserted. I think the location would be somewhere like New York, because that’s the place where so many people are homeless, and when I read the book I get this picture, of black, polluted, rubbish covered city.
4. Write a few sentences about each of the main character(s). Answer what you like or dislike about them and why they are worthy of praise and/or criticism.
Skip is the main character, and he is pretty much one of those people who are not afraid to show their feelings, who is smart and can generate lots of ideas, act. The only thing I dislike about him is that he involves himself in other peoples business, as an example, when he finds out that Tia is dancing for the soldiers, he gets angry and tells her not to, but she still does and if she hadn’t they probably would have all gotten killed.
Billy is another main character, and is strong coureougous and humble. What I dislike about Billy is that he can be a bit harsh to Skip and Max sometimes, and I think he needs to remember they are just children
Tia is another main character; I like her because she will sacrifice anything for her new family. She keeps her plans quiet so no one has time to question them.
5. Write a paragraph identifying what caused a major change in the main character and explain how the character changed. These changes may have been due to a choice, a conflict, a display of some outstanding trait like courage, or even a result of events that occur during the novel.
Skip majorly changed, from being a young homeless boy to a courageous young man. Through the books he finds that he is an artist, he finds love for Billy, Max, Sixpence and especially Tia. He learns to fight for freedom and for his family. And he becomes the leader of their family. He protects everyone and looks after them.
6. In double-entry journal style, copy 10 of your favorite phrase/sentences from the book and explain why you chose them.
1. “They are the people my dad use to always tell me about, they are the third army, the army that did not get involved.” I like this quote because Skip includes quotes from his dad as well as using that as evidence to show we have a choice in this world.
2. “I’m sorry Skip, I just didn’t want to make the same mistake with you that I did with my son.” This shows that Billy really does love Skip, and acts like he is his own son.
3. “ A sixpence is a small and silver coin from the olden days. Its worth less than a shilling but more than a penny; It’s worth six pennies” I like this as it gives the reader information from the past, so the reader gains knowledge as well as enjoyment in the book.
4. “Once I asked him why he wasn’t talking to me and he screamed, “Because I’m scared! Your old man’s scared. Go to school and tell that to your mates!” Dad didn’t know I had no friends.” This was one of the saddest quotes, it reminded me to be nice to everyone, cause what if you were like Skip and had no friends.
5. “Things change, but the carousel is always here. It reminds people of the good times.” This shows that no matter what happens through your life whether it is to do with friendship or love, you will always have memories from those good times.
6. “This is Skip,’ He said. He never called me ‘Kid’ any more. ‘Skip drew the birds. He’s going to be a famous artist one day” I really like this quote because it shows that even a guy who has no friends still has a purpose In life, you just have to find your talent.
7. “ I didn’t think anyone would be looking for me- they were probably glad I’d gone.” This is a sad quote and actually shows what most runaways think, but it’s the complete opposite.
8. “Doesn’t have to make sense’ Said Billy. “They’ve got rules and the rules are all that count.” But after this scene, Billy sneaks Skip in. So sometimes, you can break the rules if it is really necessary, and sometimes you have to think outside of the box.
9. “I hoped that where I was going I wouldn’t have to explain myself to anyone.” This one sentence shows that Skip didn’t expect to meet anyone else in the future, and that he thinks different to other people.
10. “ Once, my dad said that God was a woman and she couldn’t make up her mind what color eyes she liked best, chestnut-brown or pigeon-grey, so she gave me one of each.” I think this is really cute, its like a miniature dreamtime story and shows that that is why god made him that way.
7. Choose one sentence from the text and tell why this sentence embodies the theme of the story. Illustrate the theme/sentence using text images that you feel bring the theme to live.
That’s the side of me that looks brave, thinks brace; The side that says I don’t need friends or family. It’s my chestnut side.
This sentence is talking about how he tries to act brave, but the other side of him is crying and heartbroken. This shows that you really do need friendship and family in our lives, which shows the theme of friendship:
Images:
Write a general review of the book. Would you recommend the book? Why or why not? Would you have changed any element of the story (plot, characters, setting, resolution, conflicts, point of view, etc)?
‘A small free kiss in the dark’ By Glenda Millard is a teen fiction book that will inspire readers forever. This book is a faboulous book that will take you inside the lives of homeless people and will show you what really happens in war torn cities. This book written fro teens and young adults, is a perfect book to learn about how others can live even without the luxuries that we have.
If I could’ve changed the plot at the end I wouldn’t let Tia die, cause Skip loved her, and it was really sad to see her die, because they were like one big family, and it made it really sad that she was so close to freedom but then she died. I wouldn’t recommend this book to children under the age of 13 as it is really hard to understand and a bit sad towards the end.
