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Where the Crawdads Sing By: Delia Owens Main character: Catherine Clark, Kya Supporting characters: Chase Andrews: son or rich, influential parents. Tate Walker: Kya’s childhood friend who she falls in love with. Jumpin’: An older black man who runs a local marina. He befriends Kya Time frame: 1952--2009 Location: Barkley Cove, North Carolina Coast, specifically the marsh outside of that small town. The story is a fictional account of a young girl who overcomes illiteracy, poverty, and abandonment, twice in her life, to become a renowned marine biologist. The theme that runs throughout the story is; persevere, don’t rely on others, and eventually, love fulfills a life. Kya and her family live in a shack in the marsh outside of Barkley Cove, N.C. When Kya is about 12, her mother and brothers and sisters leave home one by one, leaving Kya with her abusive father. A year later, Kya’s father also leaves. Alone, Kya learns to fend for herself. Jumpin’ befriends her, and his wife gives Kya clothes and other necessary items, and shortly she becomes like a mother to Kya. Tate Walker begins to court Kay, and they become close but they're only friends. He teaches Kya to read and brings her books about the marsh and its natural inhabitants. Kya is only 14 and Tate is 18, so when he goes off to college he leaves Kya behind and although he promises to return over the summer, he doesn’t see Kya for seven years. During his absence, along comes Chase Andrews. Chase courts Kya and eventually they begin a relationship and later become intimate. When Kya learns that Chase is engaged to be married she breaks off the relationship, and a year later Tate returns. Kya and Tate have a lot in common, they both love the marsh and its marine life. They become friends, and spend days in the marsh exploring. Chase attempts to rape Kya, beating her in the process, and when Tate learns about it he is furious. Kya and Tate begin their relationship anew, and a short time later, Chase is killed when he falls from the top of a fire tower. Or was he pushed? Kya becomes a renowned marine biologist, writing several books on various subjects about marine life in the marsh. Kya and Tate live together for years until Kya dies in 2009. That’s when Tate learns the truth about what happened to Chase Andrews. This is one of the best books I’ve ever read, a real page turner. The description is so well done that the author virtually turns the marsh into a character that is important to the story. She brings the characters to life by their actions. The book is at times emotional, humorous, and historical.
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