Question

Write an objective summary of what happened in the story in 6-8 sentences. An objective summary is JUST THE FACTS, not what you think about what happened. Make sure to work in chronological order, include all key details and to be as accurate as possible. HINT: the summary should NOT include any details about who Charles really is or what his connection is to Laurie- that's info that's OUTSIDE the story!

Answer 1

Laurie starts kindergarten and begins coming home each day with stories about a boy in his class named Charles who misbehaves. His parents listen and laugh at the accounts, and they discuss Charles’s antics with each other. As weeks pass, Laurie’s manners and language change at home—he becomes rude, talks back, and tells increasingly dramatic tales about Charles’s behavior. Laurie describes specific incidents, including hitting the teacher, kicking, and other disruptions, and says Charles receives punishments at school. At a PTA meeting, Laurie's mother speaks with his kindergarten teacher and asks about Charles and classroom discipline. The teacher reports on the class and Laurie's behavior but tells the mother that there is no child named Charles in the class. The mother leaves the meeting surprised and puzzled by the inconsistency between what Laurie has been reporting and the teacher’s statement.