Running Loose

by Chris Crutcher

What clues did you get about the novel from the cover design and the blurbs on the book jacket?

From the clues I got, I think this book will be about a highschool boy, who probably likes to play football.

Write a detailed summary of the first 30 pages introducing the main character, setting, and plot.

The main character is a high school football player named Louis Frederick Banks. He was born in 1964, and his father is named Norman, and his mom is named Brenda. It takes place in a town called Trout and so far he has trained with his friend Carter, and raced. His life revolves around football.

Write a page character analysis of an interesting character you have met so far. It doesn’t have to be the main character although it may be. What is the character like and how does the author reveal the characterization to you?

Carter is the main character's, Louis, best friend. He is a very interesting character. He is a true friend to Louis, the hero of the high school, and seems to be good at everything. Carter has went through some hard times in his life, but still has kept a positive attitude. Also, with that successful attitude, he shows no self-centeredness or arrogance.

Choose two significant quotations from what you have read so far. Write the quote below along with the page number and explain in a well-developed paragraph the importance of the quotation.

"Carter says the most important thing is to get your act down, and he could have a point. He's sure got a good act."--page 8

This quote is said by Louis, and he is relaying back advice given to him by Carter. Carter is a very good friend to Louis, and this quote shows how he gives him advice. Louis then says that Carter has a good act, referring back to how he seems to be good at everything.

"He knows exactly what  he's doing all the time. It's hard for me to figure how he can look so free and easy when I know he calculates every move he makes. I guess it goes along with having a good act."--page 18

Another quote said by Louis, referring back to Carter and how great he seems to be. He may be somewhat jealous of Carter.  Also, he refers back to him "having a good act". Louis seems to be frustrated, all because Carter's life seems perfect.

Choose any scene from the novel and take on the point of view of another character in the scene and rewrite the scene from that character’s point of view.

I am re-writing the scene where he is about to leave the restaurant but his old friend Sally walks in.

I just walked into Seven Devils Cafe when I saw my old friend Louis Banks. I moved away after realizing that Trout wasn't going to put much energy into girl sports. I am actually pretty good too. I've missed Louis, and  I remember back in fourth grade he had a crush on me, and I beat him up about once a week that year.

I ran over to Louis, hugged him, and asked him what he was doing here, because I thought they played Creek today.

"I am out of the violent world of football," Louis told me.

I asked him why, and he explained it was about how crazy it got last week. My friends, Louis, and I all sat down at a booth. We all ordered burgers except Louis ordered a chocolate milkshake. We talked about him leaving the team, and when our food arrived, I ate my burger pretty quick.

I then explained to him how Washington ended up here and how he just moved away from trouble. After that, we just talked and Louis said he should get going. I gave him a hug and told him I would pay for his shake. Then he walked out, and left in his pickup.

By now you should have a good idea about the novel’s conflict. Explain the conflict giving enough details so I can get it. Then make a prediction about what you think will happen in the novel.

Louis wants to play sports but the whole conflict with him getting in trouble and suspended from school is getting in the way. Also, his girlfriend Becky crashed into the river and tragically passed away. Everything seems like it is going wrong for Louis.

Choose any character you have encountered in the novel so far. Choose five objects that this character would put in his or her pocket, purse, bag, or suitcase. In other words, these are objects that help define the character. For example, if someone were to write about me, he would probably list a bottle of water as an object that helped define me and then would go on to explain that I was never without a bottle of water and that it was necessary for me to drink lots of water because of my kidney and so on…Whatever you choose explain why these objects are appropriate for the selected character. Then if the person were to carry a bag, what kind of bag would it be? Describe it and explain why.

I think Louis would carry a football, a picture of Becky, keys to his truck, the pepperoni he carries in his car, and a pool stick. I think he would have a duffle bag because he plays sports and stuff. Also, to carry his pool stick.

Write a quick book review following the 5 W format. As you work through your response you can label each paragraph with the journalist’s question that it explores.

Paragraph 1: WHO is the main character of the novel? How does the character change over the course of the story? How would you describe this character’s personality?

1)     Louis Banks is the main character. He learns a lot about life throughout the novel. He learns sometimes things just happen, and being mad about them won't change anything. He matures throughout the novel. I would say Louis is a pretty genuine guy.

Paragraph 2: WHAT is the novel about?

2)     It is about a boy and throughout the novel, he learns a lot. He learns that things aren't always fair. He loses his girlfriend, and does freak out a few times in the book out of anger.

Paragraph 3: WHERE does the story take place? What is the setting(s) and how does it add to the novel. How does the location relate to the characters and theme? What time period or era? How can you tell? If the novel involves more than one setting, choose the most important one and explain why.

3)    The story takes place in a town called Trout, Idaho. The setting is in a very small town. The way all the characters act shows they are from a small town. It takes place in the 1980's. They say it on Becky's plaque. The setting is in a small town, because everyone knows each other.

Paragraph 4: WHEN does the climax of the novel occur? Tell me about it.

4)    I think the climax occurs when Becky crashes. Louis' life is changed forever now, and this is the part where you can tell he learns a lot, and matures. When Becky passes away is definitely the climax of the story.

Paragraph 5: WHY did the author write this story? What point is the author trying to make? Link your why response to a theme.

5)    I think the author tries to prove a few different points. He tries to show that life isn't always fair, but we just have to move on and get over it. Also, with the whole football incident, he tries to show that there are consequences, whether they're fair or not. When Becky passes away, Louis gets mad at God, but when a few different people talked to him, he realized being mad wouldn't change anything. Throughout the novel he learns, he just needs to move on and get over things.

Paragraph 6: Rate this novel on a 1-10 scale with 1 being low and 10 being high. Then explain why. Make a recommendation about the novel one way or another.

6)    This novel is a 9 in my eyes. It is a very interesting story, and kept me wondering what would happen next. Also, you can relate to some situations since it is about high school scenarios. I recommend everyone should read this book.