My Sister's Keeper Summary

My Sister's Keeper was written by Jodi Picoult in 2004.  Jodi Picoult was born in Long Island.  She studied literature at Princeton University.  After graduation, she published two short stories in Seventeen Magazine.  Picoult then earned her masters degree in education.  She published books on the New York Time's Best Seller List, and became very popular.  My Sister's Keeper is about a family, who's daughter was diagnosed with leukemia.  The family struggles to stay together when the parents are sued by Anna, the 13 year old sister that was born in order to donate marrow for her sister.

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Are You Somebody's Keeper?

I consider myself my father's keeper.  Unlike my sisters, I was the child that liked him since the day I was born, so my father and I have always been very close.  For example, my sisters often choose to be with my mom, but I spend time building things and watching television with my dad.  I don't want him feeling alone when all the girls in the family spend time together: since, he is the only male.  I always try my best to support him when he is feeling down.  When he gets very stressed, I comfort him by making him a cup of hot tea and giving him a hug.  I want him to be happy because I enjoy his company so much.  I think it is important that even when I am mad at him, I can think about how he is there for me.  In conclusion, I am my father's keeper and, in return, he is mine.

 

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25 Random Things About Me

1. I have a black, Chesapeake Bay Lab mix
2. My family has been building a new house for 4 years
3. My family and I live with my grandparents in spring/summer while the house is built
4. In middle school I tried very hard to be the teacher's pet
5. I got my very first B in the 3rd quarter of 8th grade that was a 89.1%
6. I love reading Jane Austen books and watching the public television movies
7. My sisters and I are very close
8. I stay up to watch SNL every Saturday
9. I have wanted to be a chef since I was 5
10. I used to knit on the way to Ocean City and at sleepovers
11. I wish I still owned a pair of Crocs
12. I love playing tennis with my older sister
13. The Office is my favorite show ever
14. My family and I spend a lot of time quoting movies and TV shows
15. Laughing is the key ingredient in my family
16. I adore sushi, but my favorite dinner is spaghetti
17. I can spend hours on Sims 3
18. I am Catholic and really wish my family would take me to church more often
19. I frequently look into the meaning of life
20. I am extremely thankful for my parents and their jobs
21. I didn't know a single person when I came to John Carroll
22. I attended every Calvert Hall mixer but one
23. the 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays
24. I would only like to live in Baltimore or South Carolina
25. My favorite place in the world is Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Discussing the Novel

I agree with Publisher’s Weekly that My Sister’s Keeper is a “spell binding suspense novel” because I never want to put the book down.  I like how you get each day from a different perspective because then you can really feel how Kate’s illness has changed the family.  For example, from reading Jesse’s chapter, you find out that he is basically on a suicide mission because he speeds on the highway and ignites massive fires.  Jesse says, “To my dismay though, I get all the way to the exit without a scratch.”  At this point in the story, I want to know Sara’s current opinion on the lawsuit.  So far, I really enjoy this book.

I think Sara is very bitter because she needs to tend to Kate’s illness.  I do not think that she chose to leave her two other children behind because it is easy to focus your energy on the daughter you constantly have to rush to the hospital.  I think she tries to find time for herself, but it can be hard.  She focuses on herself by buying dresses and then returning them.  I think she is happy her children are healthy so they can help her.  That’s what the book is about anyway.  For example, she uses Anna for donating organs and Jesse for driving them there.  All in all, I am both criticizing and empathizing because she has been handed probably one of the hardest things to deal with as a mother.

Character Profile

Campell Alexander

Anna's lawyer
Physical Description: Adult, male, black hair, eyes frozen over, right clenched jaw
Traits: conceited, serious, up-tight, firm, harsh
Closest Character: His service dog, Judge

What's in a Name?

     My name is Emma Duvall Minnis.  I am not named after a particular person, but I am named after a perfume that influenced the idea on my mom.  She really liked the Laura Ashley perfume called Emma.  My parents have loved the name Emma since they were dating.  If the first girl was blond, her name would be Emma.  And if she was brunette, her name would be Rachel.  Now the funny thing is, my older sister, Rachel, had brown hair as a child and she was named Rachel instead.  But now, I have brown hair and she has blond.  My parents wanted two boys and one girl.  The first boy would be David the fourth and the second boy would be Michael.  Instead, they were had three daughters, who they love no matter what.  My name has many meanings: universal, nurse, and blood.  I think these meanings hold true to my personality because I am open minded and I care for my family and friends when they need help.  My mother liked the name because it was strong but feminine.  I get a lot of compliments on my name.  For example, my seventh grade reading teacher complimented me on my name the first morning we met when she was reading the attendance chart.  Both of my sisters say they wish they could name their daughters Emma in the future.  I always argue that it would be strange to have an Aunt Emma and a niece, Emma.  There was a book written by my favorite author, Jane Austin, called Emma.  Another interesting fact is that Emma was the most popular baby name for females in 2008 and third most popular for 2009.  My father believes that he started the trend.  Also, my friends in elementary school thought it was funny to call me M&M minis because they thought it sound similar.  All in all, I am really proud of my name.