Surviving the Applewhites

Jake Semple has been kicked out of every school he's ever attended -- in fact, it's rumored that he burned one of them down. Now, his only options are juvie or the Applewhites' Creative Academy. The Applewhites are like nobody Jake has ever met: a multigenerational conglomeration of artists who believe in creativity and independence. And then there's E.D., who shares none of her family's creative genius, but is instead the only one who appears to be capable of organization and administration. When Randolph Applewhite, E.D.'s father, agrees to direct a local production of The Sound of Music, it at first just seems like another layer to the chaos -- until Randolph hears Jake singing one day and insists that he has the voice he needs to show more fill an empty space in the cast. Jake gets his first taste of being part of a larger endeavor, but then the show is in peril when the technical staff walk off en masse, and the entire Applewhite clan dives in to lend a hand.

I would have read this book a lot sooner if I'd known it was about community theatre, you all. As it is, I rescued it from the discard pile at my library because it's a Newbery Honor book and gave it a perfunctory read. I love a story about a big, quirky, creative family (Hilary McKay's Casson Family series being my favorite example), and the Applewhites are that in spades. Plus, as stated earlier, books about theatre are catnip to me, so this was bound to be a hit. Even if those things aren't your specific jam, the plot, characters, and setting are bound to draw you in. Highly recommended to readers of middle grade fiction. show less

Jake Stemple is considered one of the ultimate bad boys. He's been kicked out of every school he's ever attended. Then he ends up at Wit's End. Wit's End is where the Applewhite family lives. The Applewhite children are all home schooled and Jake's grandfather has decided that Jake will be joining them. Jake moves in with the Applewhites and realizes that they are all crazy artists, but he is eventually sucked in and joins the family for a massive project that will take everyone's skills.

I liked watching Jake find his place in the Applewhite family. He gets sucked in so subtly he clearly doesn't realize it at first. I also like that you get into Jake's brain as he realizes how many of the things he's doing weren't about him but were in show more fact about how he wanted others to perceive him.

I like the insight into E.D. as well. She is clearly the odd one out but she still plays a vital role in the family. The play could not have been pulled off without her.

I guess I've been reading too much fiction where relationships play a heavy role. I was totally expecting E.D. and Jake to end up in some kind of relationship and that never happened and it felt so much more right because of it.

There was lots of humor and lots of hard work. Destiny is a great example of that. He's a funny kid but he takes a lot of work. It was also interesting to see the amount of work that went into putting on the play. show less

Jake has been kicked out of so many schools, he is told that The Creative Academy is his last chance before Juvie. The Creative Academy is a home school where there seems to be no rules. All the students study what they want, when they want. At first, Jake believes that everyone will see him just as a tough kid. However, in time he starts to warm up to the family as they see past his tough exterior. This book made me laugh and smile because it was not only inspirational but very quirky too. The characters are all unique and outrageous in their own way. The book refers to swear words, though none of the swear words are actually written. The desire to be accepted and loved makes this book relatable for just about any reader. This would be show more a great book to read as a class because of it could be a great way to start conversation about feelings, emotional regulation, self-esteem, and acceptance. show less

Tough guy Jake Semple has been kicked out of every school in Rhode Island. Now he’s sent to the Creative Academy in North Carolina, more a place for the Applewhite clan to develop their artistic talents than a real school. E.D. Applewhite, the meticulous left-brained member of the family, expects Jake to disrupt the little organization she has manufactured in her chaotic creative family. Jake begins his time with the family as his old standoffish self, but slowly softens as he befriends first the family dog, then Destiny, the youngest Applewhite. When the family members join forces to produce an edgy, philosophical, color-blind version of The Sound of Music, Jake and E.D. start to see one another’s good qualities, as well as their show more own. The ridiculousness of the plot, including a visiting Indian guru and an Applewhite-centered documentary, help to draw the reader’s focus away from the book’s occasional weaknesses, including underdeveloped characters and a lack of full resolution. Overall, Tolan has created a book that is simultaneously heartwarming and hilarious. show less

This is an enjoyable tweener book about an unusual "artistic" family whose "Creative Academy" (what they call their homeschool) becomes host to a 13 year old delinquent. When the father (a temporarily unemployed director) is hired to put on "The Sound of Music" at the local theater, spiky-haired Jake is roped into playing Rolf to the chagrin of the only sensible person in the family, middle-schooler E.(for Edith) D. Applewhite. The rollicking production is a hoot, especially if you are at all familiar with the said musical. Not as deep or thought-provoking as I would expect from a Newberry Award nominee, but nevertheless entertaining. Recommended for 4-5th graders.

Jake Stemple is considered one of the ultimate bad boys. He's been kicked out of every school he's ever attended. Then he ends up at Wit's End. Wit's End is where the Applewhite family lives. The Applewhite children are all home schooled and Jake's grandfather has decided that Jake will be joining them. Jake moves in with the Applewhites and realizes that they are all crazy artists, but he is eventually sucked in and joins the family for a massive project that will take everyone's skills.

I liked watching Jake find his place in the Applewhite family. He gets sucked in so subtly he clearly doesn't realize it at first. I also like that you get into Jake's brain as he realizes how many of the things he's doing weren't about him but were in show more fact about how he wanted others to perceive him.

I like the insight into E.D. as well. She is clearly the odd one out but she still plays a vital role in the family. The play could not have been pulled off without her.

I guess I've been reading too much fiction where relationships play a heavy role. I was totally expecting E.D. and Jake to end up in some kind of relationship and that never happened and it felt so much more right because of it.

There was lots of humor and lots of hard work. Destiny is a great example of that. He's a funny kid but he takes a lot of work. It was also interesting to see the amount of work that went into putting on the play. show less

Jake Stemple is considered one of the ultimate bad boys. He's been kicked out of every school he's ever attended. Then he ends up at Wit's End. Wit's End is where the Applewhite family lives. The Applewhite children are all home schooled and Jake's grandfather has decided that Jake will be joining them. Jake moves in with the Applewhites and realizes that they are all crazy artists, but he is eventually sucked in and joins the family for a massive project that will take everyone's skills.

I liked watching Jake find his place in the Applewhite family. He gets sucked in so subtly he clearly doesn't realize it at first. I also like that you get into Jake's brain as he realizes how many of the things he's doing weren't about him but were in show more fact about how he wanted others to perceive him.

I like the insight into E.D. as well. She is clearly the odd one out but she still plays a vital role in the family. The play could not have been pulled off without her.

I guess I've been reading too much fiction where relationships play a heavy role. I was totally expecting E.D. and Jake to end up in some kind of relationship and that never happened and it felt so much more right because of it.

There was lots of humor and lots of hard work. Destiny is a great example of that. He's a funny kid but he takes a lot of work. It was also interesting to see the amount of work that went into putting on the play. show less