shug

characterization

Shug is a teenage girl who is starting 7th grade and thinks there is nothing worse in life than being twelve. She hates her body, her straw colored hair, and her freckles. She got the nickname 'Shug' because her mom says she is sweet like sugar. Her parents are fighting, all of her friends have boyfriends, and she feels like she is losing her best friend. This isn't how she imagined life to be.

character trait

Beginning Quote:

"That's the way it goes," I say. "And anyway, you didn't have to rub it in about Celia. I know shes prettier then me" (pg 5) taken from Shug

Shug is jealous that her friend and crush Mark thinks that her sister is prettier than her.

Middle Quote:

"So I'm not like you Celie, nobody asked me. " (pg. 213) taken from Shug

Shug does not have a date for the big dance and her sister Celie who always has a boyfriend is encouraging her to go alone. She puts on her mothers old dress and looks in the mirror and feels pretty.

End Quote:

"But you're popular; everyone likes you." (pg. 236) taken from Shug

Since school began, Shug and her best friend Elaine have drifted apart. Elaine has a boyfriend and has become very popular. After a conversation, Shug learns that Elaine has always been jealous of her and wishes that she looked liked her. She now understands that everyone has problems and insecurities, even her beautiful and popular best friend.

Theme:

Don't be afraid for things to change. You may lose something good but gain something better.

Beginning Quote:

"I think I'm in love...with Mark." (pg. 14) taken from Shug

For as long as she can remember, Mark has always been her best friend but as they begin 7th grade, she realizes her feelings have grown deeper.

Middle Quote:

"Shut up. I only danced with her because I felt sorry for her. She doesn't even know how to dance like a girl." (pg. 220) taken from Shug.

Shug feels her whole world will never be the same when she finds out that Mark just wants to be friends. She has lost her best friend and her crush.

"Something to remember me by." (pg. 248) taken from Shug.

Shug kisses Jack. A boy who she couldn't stand. He hadn't been her lifelong crush, but a boy who unexpectedly protected her and made her feel special. Instead of cherry popsicles it was cherry Lifesavers, and she was okay with that.

authors purpose

Author's Purpose

I believe the author's purpose is to entertain. The book describes a typical teenagers life including challenges and accomplishments.

Author's Purpose (Cont.)

Jenny Hans' strong opinion is that people will judge you whether you are popular or not, "It doesn't mean anything. They could have hated me just as easily. People will love you or hate you for being different." (pg. 236) taken from Shug.

Author's Purpose (Cont.)

Another quote demonstrating the author's strong opinion is,"Think about it Annmarie. I'm the only Korean American at our school so you have no idea how hard it is." (pg. 236) taken from Shug.

summary

Shug is a book about a teenager named Shug that begins in the summer before 7th grade. Shug lives in a small southern town called Clementon, "The thing is, you can't ever leave Clementon. The sweet South lures you back home, just like those Sirens in Greek mythology." (pg. 37) taken from Shug.
Shug is insecure with herself and unsure about everything in her life. It is a book about finding yourself in a complex world of people who judge you and people who love you. This story is being told so that others can relate to what Shug is going through and to a paint a picture of what teenage life may be like.

short summary

• who: Annmarie  
• what: theirs nothing worse then being 12 
• where: Clementon
• when: present 
• why: she wants to be popular 

vocabulary

troglodyte

"You are really ignorant, Mark, you know that? You're a real troglodyte. You're so ignorant, I bet you don't even know what that means." (pg. 4) taken from Shug.

Other Forms:

• troglodytic
• troglodytical
• troglodytism

grudgingly

"There's ice cream, too." grudgingly," she says. (pg. 72) taken from Shug.

OThER FORMS:

• grudging
• grudger
• grudgeless
• grudge

extraordinary

"You are extraordinary, and if Mark Findley can't see that, well, then he's a young fool." (pg. 223) taken from Shug.

OTHER FORMS:

• extraordinarily
• extraordinariness
• unextraordinary

CONCLUDING SLIDES:

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a heartfelt story of a teenager and her life.

OTHER BOOKS BY JENNY HAN:

• The Summer I Turned Pretty
• It's Not Summer Without You
• We'll Always Have Summer
• To All the Boys I've Loved Before
• Burn for Burn

OTHER BOOKS By jenny han (cont.):

• Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream
• Ashes to Ashes
• P.S. I Still Love You

OTHER INFORMATION:

The book 'Shug' has not been made into a movie.