When I collected this stuff, I didn’t know if I’d submit it all, but sometimes you need to hear a lot of points of view to get the whole story. I labeled everything with Post-its and added notes so you don’t get confused. This folder includes my letters as well as public documents and things I’ve collected from friends and family members, shared with permission. The Exact Location of Home For Ella Contentsįor upper elementary & middle school readersĮnclosed is my contribution to the Wolf Creek Community Time Capsule Project. It's worth reading just to learn about part of our society. It's definitely written for a younger audience, but I do think the meaning behind the book resonates with truth. I felt like I was reading the story multiple times before the plot advanced. Nora would write her article, then Lizzie might have a comment about the same event. general population, what types poetry one can write, etc. It does teach you a lot-about what it's like to be a minority in a white town, the demographics of inmate vs. She also participates in writing entries for the time capsule.Several people have told me they loved this book. Elidee is also black, so she is often treated differently than Lizzie and Nora, which shows a new side of the town to them. She and her mother have moved to Wolf Creek to live close to Elidee's brother, who is now incarcerated in the prison. She does not enjoy running like Elidee and Nora do nor does she harbor ideas about being a journalist, but she helps them by doing entries and running.Elidee represents the newcomer. The conversations are 'transcripts' in the book. She submits her thoughts by using a recorder.

Her grandmother has been having problems, so her mother has been helping her. Nora moves around town telling what everyone is doing and trying to figure out where the criminals could be hiding.Lizzie, Nora's best friend, hangs out with Nora most of the time. Nora feels nervous about competing against her-Nora wants to win because the winner throws a water balloon at the principal. A new girl, Elidee, runs faster than Nora. It may be cancelled if the inmates aren't found. Everyone locks their doors and events must be cancelled for safety, which annoys Nora because she wants to participate in field day at the end of the school year. Nora's father is in charge of the prison, so he's always at work.

Nora writes way more than five entries, but she details what happens as the search begins and eventually ends. Meanwhile two inmates escape from the prison. The town creates a time capsule and the students have to input five entries for future residents of the Wolf Creek. Two events happen that enable her to practice her skills.

Nora wants to be a journalist when she grows up. Breakout presents a realistic story about three girls who live in a town where a prison looms large.

How to write a story by kate messner