Double Dutch (Sharon Draper novel)

Double Dutch is a 2002 young adult novel by Sharon M. Draper.^[1] It focuses on two teenagers (Delia and Randy) and their very different struggles, which eventually collide and threaten their friendship.^[2]

Plot

Delia is an eighth grader in Cincinnati, Ohio. She competes on a team in the Double Dutch world championships with her friends Yolanda,Charlene, and Randy, help to organize the team. Soon they are told they might have to pass a standardized test in order to be on the team, which is ghastly news for Delia. This is because she can’t read. Randy is also having difficulties. His dad is a truck driver, so Randy is often left home alone to care for himself. Randy’s dad has been gone for weeks, and still hasn’t called. Soon Randy has to sell the VCR and other appliances to pay the rent and buy food. Both friends are trying to avoid the Tolliver twins, because of the rumors surrounding them. It is said in the book that they kill puppies for fun, and terrorize their Mother. The climax of the story is when a tornado hits the school while its in session. Yolanda goes to the bathroom shortly before it hits, and remains missing for a while after. In a strange twist of events, the Tolliver twins go looking for her in the rubble. After an exciting competition, Delia sees a paper with a picture of Randy’s dad on it, but because she can’t read, she doesn’t tell Randy. Randy, however, sees it and finds out that Delia saw it too. They fight for a bit, and Randy tells Delia his secret. She feels guilty for not telling him, so she tells Randy that she can’t read and runs out of the gym. Later she goes to dinner with her mother, and reveals to her secret to her as well.

References

1. ^ http://sharondraper.com/bookdetail.asp?id=13
2. ^ http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0PBX/is_4_36/ai_111165582/