The Truth About Sharks

“The Trust About Sharks”
By Joan Bauer
Setting –Identify the time and place.
The story takes place during the day between 10:00 am and approximately 3:30 pm in Norwalk, Connecticut located in Fairfield County at Mitchell Gail’s department store.

Main Character – Use at least two quotes from the text to reveal character traits. Include the page number.
The main character is Beth. A seventeen year-old brunette girl who does “…not do mornings” and is a “…devout night person.” (pg. 32) Beth dreams of going to veterinary school, but through the course of the story decides that perhaps instead she should become a lawyer. “Lawyers have power.” (pg. 45)

Plot – Create a plot line and list five events, climax, falling action, and the resolution.
Beth wakes up and finds out that she needs to go to the store before her Uncle Al’s birthday party to buy a pair of new black pants. She goes to the store and meets Hannah; a saleswoman who helps her find a dressing room. She tries on several different pants, but finally finds some she likes. She decides to leave her stuff in the dressing room and look for some more with the pants she wants still on. The security guard at the store accuses her shoplifting and takes her to an office where Officer Brennerman comes and gets Beth. The officer takes her out of the store and puts her in the back of the police car. While she is in the back of the car, Beth explains her side of the story and the officer decides to investigate. They return to the store and Hannah confirms he story. She gets all of her stuff and leaves the store. After she gets in the car, she gets really upset about the accusation and goes back into the store demanding to see the manager. She explains what happened and threatens to call a lawyer. In the end, Madge is forced to apologize and Beth is given a gift card.

Theme – Find on quote from the novel to prove the theme. Include the page number.
The theme of the story I you should always stand up for yourself. When you stand up for yourself, you feel good about yourself no matter what you are wearing. “I wore an old black dress, but there was something shining in my face that I could feel – something, Mom said, that money could not buy – empowerment.” (pg. 46)