Agnes Parker…”Keeping Cool in Middle School” written by Kathleen O’Dell is a fascinating and intriguing book. Kathleen O’Dell is a popular writer among the children and teenagers. She was named a Publisher Weekly Flying Start author for Agnes Parker, the main character of her books. Agnes Parker..”Keeping Cool in Middle School” describes the life of the girl in the Middle School. It is very useful to analyze the mood, suspense and theme of the book in order to understand and enjoy it.
This book is written in the comic, tense and dramatic mood. In the beginning of the story, everything seems all right. Agnes Parker is glad to be in the Middle School. She tries to keep her old image and wants to adopt the position to be inconspicuous. As the story begins: “In the far corner of the Horace Mann Middle School locker room, Agnes Parker and her friend Prejean Duval are changing into their gym clothes and keeping their voices low” (O’Dell 7). But the tranquil life stops, when her friend Prejean wants to be the president of the class and she asks for help from Agnes. She asks Agnes to be the campaign manager. That is why the mood of the story is changing: from the calmness to escalating conflict which is supported with funny and comic events. Agnes learns some facts about herself and friendship through the events which happens in the Middle School. From the description on the book: “Middle school is going to take some getting used to. Agnes’s best friend, Prejean, has jumped in and decided to run for class president, but Agnes would rather try to be invisible. That’ll be difficult now that Prejean has asked Agnes to be her campaign manager. And then there’s Aram, a boy in Agnes’s art class who seems to have a crush on her. He’s smart and funny, and Agnes feels comfortable around him. But is he such an odd duck that she’ll seem odd by association?” (O’Dell 2). It is very effective to use changes in the mood, because the book becomes more exciting and interesting. Agnes Parker…”Keeping Cool in Middle School” is a great example of this method. A lot of teenagers can not break away from the book until they read the last sentence.
Agnes Parker…”Keeping Cool in Middle School” is popular, because it has suspense. The main character passes through some difficulties and it gives a pleasant reading. As if the reader goes through all the troubles with Agnes. For example, Agnes as a campaign manager faces some difficulties. She wants to help her friend and makes all efforts to achieve success. The most suspenseful moment in the book is the relationships between Agnes and Aram. She liked him and wants to be with him. But, once she accuses him that he has stolen her phone. The reader is in suspense. Is Aram a theft? No, he can not cause harm to Agnes. Then, she apologizes, but Aram is so mad that he makes Agnes cry. In spite of the dramatic events, the book keeps the readers in suspense.
The theme of Agnes Parker…”Keeping Cool in Middle School” is instructive. Agnes struggles with her shyness and sympathy for the boy. Agnes is a real friend who helps Prejean in any difficulties. These facts are the main messages to the readers and they are appropriate for the students.
Agnes Parker…”Keeping Cool in Middle School” is worth reading and one can verify this after analyzing the mood, suspense and theme of the book. The book describes the challenges and growth of the students in the Middle School.
Works Cited
O’Dell, Kathleen. Agnes Parker…”Keeping Cool in Middle School”. New York: Puffin. 2008. Print.