|
|
 |
| Double Dutch |
Summary:
Delia's not the only one with a secret. Her potential boyfriend, Randy, has one too- his dad has been missing for weeks, and Randy hasn't told anyone for fear he'll be put in a foster home. But he is running out of money, and getting scared.
The one thing that isn't a secret is that their classmates, the Tolliver twins, are out to cause trouble. With their skull caps, angry demeanors, and hints of voilence emanating from even the way they stalk down the school halls, they seem to enjoy intimidating the other kids. But will they cross the line from intimidation to voilence?
With consummate skill and an uncanny ability to capture how real kids think, act, and feel, Tears of a Tiger author Sharon Draper weaves these three stories tighter and tighter, creating a novel that tingles with suspense and emotion.
|
|
|
|
Introduction:
Delia loves Double Dutch. And she's good at it. Really good. So good that her team has a chance to win the World Double Dutch Championships this year- Delia is sure of it. What she is less sure of is her chance of passing the school's state exam, because Delia has been using her success at Double Dutch to mask a secret that could jeopardize her place on the team, and also her future.
Delia's not the only one with a secret. Her potential boyfriend, Randy, has one too- his dad has been missing for weeks, and Randy hasn't told anyone for fear he'll be put in a foster home. But he is running out of money, and getting scared.
The one thing that isn't a secret is that their classmates, the Tolliver twins, are out to cause trouble. With their skull caps, angry demeanors, and hints of voilence emanating from even the way they stalk down the school halls, they seem to enjoy intimidating the other kids. But will they cross the line from intimidation to voilence?
With consummate skill and an uncanny ability to capture how real kids think, act, and feel, Tears of a Tiger author Sharon Draper weaves these three stories tighter and tighter, creating a novel that tingles with suspense and emotion.
General Questions:
1. What made you decide to write Double Dutch?
When I was a little girl, I used to jump rope with my friends in front of our house. We jumped to rhythms and chants, following no real rules, often making up intricate moves as we danced with the ropes. Those fond memories of pleasant afternoons on summer sidewalks became a large part of the magic of Double Dutch. Years later, after watching my own children jump rope, and observing students at school jump rope for fun during lunch hour, I became intrigued with how popular the activity still remained.
2. How did you research the book?
I discovered that Double Dutch was now an organized sport, with tournaments and participants from around the world, and I found out that my home town of Cincinnati, Ohio, was the proud home of several world-championship Double Dutch teams. I became fascinated with the sport and all the energy and dedication it required. I went to team practices and local tournaments-I even went to the World Championships a few years ago, cheering the home town team to yet another victory.
3. Why did you make everything in the story come in twos?
I decided to focus on the "double" idea, creating the threatening Tolliver twins, and the twin tornadoes. In addition, every character has two stories-one that seems to be true, and the real story that is kept secret, which brings about lies and deception and confusion. "Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between the truth and a lie, and it doesn't really matter who believes it " Delia says in Double Dutch.
I really had fun writing this book, and even jumped a little with the kids on the team. They were amazingly supportive of my long-lost skills, and didn't even laugh at me!
4. What is the meaning of the title Double Dutch?
Of course, the title refers to jumping ropes, but it also can refer to the numerous sets of two found in the story. There's an old saying that talks about being "in dutch," which meant in trouble. In this book many times the trouble is doubled!
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
