Michelle's Reading Log

Chapter one

In chapter one of the novel a new girl comes to Portland High. Her name is Cathy. She often has changed schools so it is the third school she visits in the past years. She knows that it is hard at a new school so she uses to make a good impression. For this she changes her character and plays her part as a nice girl. She knows when she doesn't do this she will become an outsider and never be part of a group. After Mr. Deedles, her homeroom teacher, introduces Cathy to the class and after the lesson is over, a boy comes to her and asks her for an interview about her school history and her hobbies for the school newspaper. His name is Jamie Hanson. At the interview, Jamie asks Cathy a lot of questions and also asks her to work for the school newspaper. Cathy wants to work for it. Also she wants to know Jamie better.

Chapter two

In chapter two of the novel three boys come to Cathy after the final bell has rung. One of the boys has a small head and empty eyes as a snake. Also he is tall and thin. He says to Cathy that she is a member of his club. She has to come to a short meeting once a week. The meetings will be next to the lockers. Also she has to pay five dollars a week for be a member of his club. When he speaks he hisses, so he sounds like a snake. Cathy doesn't want to be in the club. But when she says that the boy should go away he seizes her arms and throws her against the locker. She hurts herself when she brings up her knee between his legs to hurt him because he wears a cup. He wears it because he is a catcher. The boy warns her and says that he will hurt her and her little brother when she doesn't pay the dues. After this she has to give him the first payment. The boys go away and let Cathy alone. She stands there a while till she walks down the corridor to the main door.

Chapter three

In chapter three of the novel Cathy is on the school bus and thinking about what happens in school. At home her brother Mike asks her how her first day at school was. She doesn‘t tell him something about the boys who impended her. After Mike rides off to the park to play basketball Cathy wants to tell her mother what happened in school. But she knows that Eileen has been under a lot of pressure because of her new position as a manager for the new branch of a computer company. So Cathy will wait a few days till she tells her mother her problem. So when her mother comes home Cathy first listens to the problems her mother had had on her first day at her new job. Then she tells her that she will go in her room to finish her homework. But in her room Cathy sits on the floor and spends two hours there to think about how she can deal with her enemy. She finds a good strategy to sort out her problem.

Chapter four

In chapter four of the novel Cathy gives the Snakeman the money which he wants every week. Her strategy is to be non-resistance. But after a few weeks, the Snakeman comes to her and him not only wants the money. He sees that Cathy wears a necklace and wants that she gives it to him. Just after he pulls on it harder, Cathy gives him the necklace voluntary although it is very important for her. She knows that she needs a new strategy. She forgets her thoughts about the Snakeman for a short time because Jamie calls her to ask if she wants to work for the school newspaper because one of their reporters is sick. Cathy plays her old role so it takes some minutes until she agrees. After the call she is concentrating on the Snakeman again. She realizes that her enemy is too strong to beat alone so she wants to find help. But she must be careful about which people she talks to because the Snakeman has many friends, also in high places.

Chapter five

In chapter five of the novel Cathy goes to Dr. Callahan. He is the principal of Portland High. She wants to talk with him about the Snakeman and his gang. She knows it is the last year he is the principal and he wants that it is a good last year and that the pupils tell him their problems because he wants to leave the school with a feeling of pride. In his office Cathy has a small talk with him. She realizes he is nervous when she hints at her problem so she doesn‘t want to talk with him about the Snakeman.

Chapter six

In chapter six of the novel Cathy tries to find out who she can trust. She makes a list with three categories and writes the names of pupils and teachers in it. She groups the people in those she feels she could trust, those she couldn‘t trust and those she isn‘t sure about. She thinks she could trust Mr. Black, a counselor. But she first tries to find out if she really could trust him. Because of this she has a conversation with him. She tells him that she has some problems with some teachers. He looks bored so Cathy steers the conversation to a special point. She knows she can find out then if she really could trust Mr. Black. She tells him that her necklace was stolen. Mr. Black seems to be shocked but when Cathy tells him she doesn‘t report it to the principal‘s office he is no longer worried. He just tells her that school thieves often couldn‘t be find. He wants to know more details about what happens. After Cathy tells him the rest of the story she crosses his name off the list of those she could trust.

Chapter seven

In chapter seven of the novel Cathy tells her mother everything about the Snakeman and that he will hurt her and her brother when she doesn‘t cooperate with him. Her mother reacts shocked and wants to know if her daughter had talked with a teacher or the principal about it. Then Cathy tells her the Snakeman gets a lot of pupils and teachers on his side, so she can‘t trust everyone. Eileen wants to help her but Cathy tells her she first only wants to find people who can help her. Eileen is sceptical about this strategy because she wants to protect Cathy but she trusts her and first keeps herself out of the problem. Bouth doesn‘t want to tell Mike about the Snakeman because they think it will be too hard to him. They will warn him when the Snakeman finds out what Cathy is up to.

Chapter eight

In chapter eight of the novel Cathy works on her list. In the next days the list slows down. Also the Snakeman just takes his money every week and goes away. It seems he is satisfied, so Cathy can be concentrated on the work for the school newspaper. She often needs to stay longer with Jamie because he teachs her a lot about the work. One day Jamie asks Cathy if she wants to go canoeing. She agrees and it is a perfect day for her. She writes a diary entry about it. On the day Jamie tells her how to handle a canoe. He thinks Cathy doesn‘t know it but she just doesn‘t want to say that she already know how to handle it. When they are in the river a storm gets up. They are in panic so the canoe gets out of control and it turns over. Both are in the water and pull the canoe to shore. When the storm is over they are into the river and search the stuff which fell out of the canoe. Then they are hungry so they eat a fish that Jamie caught. Cathy and Jamie trying to get warmed up but they are really cold so Jamie thinks it is a good idea to give each other a massage. When Cathy gives Jamie a massage she starts to trickle him. Because of this Jamie looks for a revenge. They stop trickleing each other and go canoeing again. They see many animals in the water and on land. Also they are looking at two moose which is a highlight. On land again Cathy and Jamie watch the sunset while they are holding their hands. In the end of the day Jamie kisses Cathy.

Chapter nine

In chapter nine of the novel the Snakeman says to Cathy that she should get a tattoo. Also he shows her his tattoos. First he shows her a dragon. The dragon looks really frightening when the Snakeman moves his chest because the tattoo looks like it comes alive. Then he shows her another tattoo. It is a chooper. He wants to know if Cathy had ever been on a chopper. She lies and says she was on a Harley Davidson. When the Snakeman hears this he asks her if she wants to go for a ride with him. Cathy knows she need to agree but she uses to find a way out. She says that she has to ask her mother. When she is on her way at home she realize that the Snakeman want her to be his girlfriend. She knows she is in a dangerous situation now. Her head is hurting because she thinks about what happened at school. But also she makes a plan. When she is at home and goes to bed, her head is still hurting.

Chapter ten

In chapter ten of the novel Cathy has a nightmare. The Snakeman makes a ride with her to a mountain. When they drive straight up, the air becomes thin. It is hard for Cathy to breathe. They drive to the top of the mountain. She see Dr. Callahan and Mr. Black when she gets off the chopper. But when she calls to them for help they don‘t move. The Snakeman takes her to the edge of the mountain. There Cathy could see a exciting view and also the Snakeman shows her the school. He says he is in control of the school. Also he wants Cathy to be his partner. When Cathy should kiss him she tries to pull away. He says Cathy should forget about him. He pulls her close and his head turns into the head of a snake. Cathy turns to run but the Snakeman catchs her again. She uses to get away from him but the Snakeman wrapps around Cathys body and squeezes her till she passes out. The last thing she sees before she wakes up is the huge mouth of the Snakeman opening wide. Her mother is in her room because Cathy has screamed. When Eileen leaves the room Cathy sits up in her bed and eases off. She knows everything will be alright if she sticks to her plan.

Chapter eleven

In chapter eleven of the novel Cathy talks to Jamie after the staff meeting. She tells him everything about her problem with the Snakeman. She also tells him about the plan she has had but she knows she hasn't enought time to form a team against the Snakeman. If she doesn't agree to go for a ride with him he will be angry but if she agrees he will think Cathy is his girlfriend. When Jamie asks her if she has spoken with the principal or with a counselor she tells him that she couldn't trust them. Cathy wants to publish an article about the Snakeman for the school newspaper. She knows Dr. Callahan couldn't ignore the problem then. But there are some problems. The Beacon only comes out in two weeks. Also the faculty adviser doesn't want negative articles about the school in the Beacon and she has strong opinions. However Cathy tries to assure her of the importance of this article.

Chapter twelve

In chapter twelve of the novel Cathy and Jamie talk to Ms. Southerland. The most time Ms. Southerland let Cathy go on talking. Cathy tells her about how danger the Snakeman is. But Ms. Southerland says that publishing the story about the Snakeman will cast a bad light on the school. Also it will damage the reputation of Dr. Callahan. Cathy tries to assure her that the school is in danger. Ms. Southerland means Cathy is exaggerating and that not the whole school is in danger. She says it is important to not react too strongly. Cathy tries again to explain how danger the Snakeman and his gang are. Also Jamie says Cathy hasn‘t any proof and that she is the only person who is against the Snakeman. But she means publishing an article about her story in the Beacon would produce that also other pupils tell about what the Snakeman has done to them. She tells Ms. Southerland about a list the Snakeman has. On this list are the names of his victims. But Ms. Southerland says the Snakeman just wants to impress Cathy with this list because he likes her. Cathy looks angrily at Jamie and leaves the room.

Chapter thirteen

In chapter thirteen of the novel Jamie sees Cathy and Ophir in a restaurant. He find out that Cathy had met the Snakeman. They drove to the Bear Mountain which is over ten miles away. Also he sees Cathys tattoo, a dragon. She tells him she has made the tattoo for her date today. Then Jamie tells her he thought he was in a relationship with her. But Cathy tells him it is over because he let her down, at the meeting with Ms. Southerland. Jamie tries to explain her that Ms. Southerland let Cathy down. She says him he is a wimp because he sided with Francis Southerland, his friend, against Cathy. Also she tells Jamie she knows Gordon Baker, the real name of the Snakeman, better now, he isn‘t a bad guy and she get along quite well with him. Jamie means Cathy can‘t dump him for the Snakeman but Cathy says Jamie dumped her first. He tries to explain Cathy that he didn‘t change his feelings to her. For Cathy he is a different person now. Jamie wants to know if they can get back togehter. Cathy tells him he needs to assure Ms. Southerland that she must let them print the story about the Snakeman. He gives her his consent. With her wet napkin Cathy rubs her tattoo away, so Jamie smiles.

Chapter fourteen

In chapter fourteen of the novel Jamie meets Cathy in a cafeteria and tells her what happened when he has spoken again with Ms. Southerland. He tould Ms. Southerland that he no longer wants to be the editor-in-chief if the story of the Snakeman doesn‘t be printed in the Beacon. First Ms. Southerland tried to assure him that he will has a great future with his career so this job is important for him. But Jamie told her he doesn‘t want to make this job any longer. Then Ms. Southerland started getting loud and said it was Cathys fault that he wants to bring out the story of the Snakeman. But Jamie says it wasn‘t Cathys fault and that they will bring out a special edition of the Beacon without the permission of Ms. Southerland even when he loses his job or when they get suspended from school.

Chapter fifteen

In chapter fifteen of the novel twelve pupils have a meeting with Cathy and Jamie. Six of them are staff members of the Beacon and the other six have a special job as bodyguards. Cathy and Jamie found these pupils on Cathys list of people she could trust. Three of these bodyguards are football players, two are wrestlers and one is a pug. At the meeting Jamie explains the plan and reminds that it is important that nothing can stop the sale of the newspapers. A man parks his white delivery van behind the cafeteria and goes inside. Jamie sees the van and gives a signal to the others. They go outside, also the man comes out and gives a large package to Jamie and the others. All go back into the school. They get another package and bring it also into the school. The newspaper stands are set up and a staff member stands together with a bodyguard next to each of them. Jamie flashs Cathy the victory sign and she flashs it back. After that the bell rings. The pupils come to buy the special edition of the Beacon. When the bell rings another time the newspaper is sold out. In the afternoon Cathy and Jamie need to go in the principal‘s office.

Chapter sixteen

In chapter sixteen of the novel Jamie and Cathy are in the principal‘s office. First Dr. Callahan speaks really loud with Jamie. Also when Cathy wants to explain the situation, Ms. Southerland forbids her to speak. But the phone rings so the talk gets cut off. Mayor Simpson talks with the principal about the special articel of the Beacon. After the call Dr. Callahan talks slowly with Jamie and Cathy. He explains his situation and apologizes for his behave, just as Ms. Southerland. Cathy and Jamie forgive them. Dr. Callahan tells Jamie and Cathy what the mayor has said. He makes a press conference in the evening. For the conference, they practice their speechs, so the reporters can‘t ask unpleasant questions.

Chapter seventeen

In chapter seventeen of the novel the Snakeman has left the town because of the story about him in the Beacon. The victims of the Snakeman come to Cathy and Jamie and talking with them about their fears. Also Cathy has fears. Together with Jamie she forms a group where the victims can speak about their fears. After some weeks, the pupils overcome their fears, just as Cathy. She only doesn‘t overcome the strongest of her fears. She means the Snakeman will come and take a revenge on her. The last meeting of the group is a party. At the party, Ophir and Jamie showing Cathy an article in the newspaper. The Snakeman was killed in a gun fight. Cathy starts crying. After some minutes she stops crying and gives Ophir, her mother and Jamie a hug.