Characters- Eight Keys

          In the book I am currently reading; Eight Keys there are two characters that play a big role in the story.  First there is Elise.  Her mom died when she was born and her dad passed away when she was three.  Elise says that her parents are an empty space inside of her and she never really thinks about them much.  Elise lives with her Uncle Hugh and her Aunt Bessie.  She really enjoys living with them and they are really close to Elise as if she was their own child.  Elise has a best friend Franklin that she has known for forever.  In the beginning of the story Elise is really close to Franklin, they play a game called Knights together and they don't really care what people think of them.  They play this game because its fun and it's what they like to do.  During a round of Knights before their first day of school, Elise was running away from Franklin and tripped on a tree branch.  She fell and tumbled down the giant hill.  For her first day of school Elise has scratches and marks all over her legs.  The kids in her class made fun of her and she became really embarrassed.  This game has changed Elise and she is now really self conscious.  Now Elise cares what people think of her and she is letting the world bring her down.  Elise now never wants to play this game again; the game that meant everything to her childhood.  "I'm not better from the last time we played Knights,"  I said, feeling the smooth sheets against my rough, scabby legs.  And I wasn't better from getting made fun of.  This was the weekend; I wanted to push school out of my mind, to forget that yesterday had ever happened (LaFleur 12)."  This character Elise really advances the plot because she is really adventurous.  She is curious and really likes to have fun.  Without her as a part of this story this book wouldn't actually be a book.  There would not be a best friend for Franklin and there would be no adventure or curiosity.     

            Next, there is Franklin White.  Franklin is best friends with Elise and they have been friends for all of their lives.  Franklin needs Elise, they are like partners in crime.  Franklin brings excitement and action to this novel and he is into science and the environment.  Franklin loves to have fun and explore, although his mom is very controlling.  In the beginning of the story he doesn't really speak what's on his mind.  Franklin keeps his feelings to himself but you know he really wants to tell Elise how he feels.  Franklin begins to open up to Elise and he tells her what he thinks and how he feels. ""You know what the best thing about the summer was?"  I asked. 

"What?"

"Not having a to-do-list." 

Franklin was quiet for a minute.  "We have one more day," he pointed out (LaFleur 23)." 

            There are three minor characters in the novel Eight Keys, Uncle Hugh, Aunt Bessie, and Mrs. White.  There are also characters such as the classmates that bully Elise.  Uncle Hugh is a carpenter.  He renovated the old barn in their backyard.  Now there is a bathroom and electricity.  Uncle Hugh has had custody of Elise since she was three and his nickname for her is Cricket.  He really wants the best for Elise and he does whatever he can to make her happy.  When he is refinishing furniture he allow Elise and Franklin to help him and when there is no more work to be done he lets them mess around with his leftover scraps.       

            Aunt Bessie has had custody of Elise since she was three also.  Aunt Bessie is a chef that wears a black chef's clothes.  Aunt Bessie wears black for a better look.  Elise and Aunt Bessie cook together every Saturday as long as there is no catering job to be done.  Since Aunt Bessie is a chef their kitchen has all of the newest and up to date appliances.  She is a very smart chef and she really finds a way out of every situation.  Aunt Bessie even figured out how to make lactose tolerant ice cream for Franklin.  Aunt Bessie is so caring and will to anything to keep Elise happy. 

            Mrs. White is Franklin's mom.  Mrs. White is one of those very overprotective kind of parents.  She knows where Franklin is at all times and she sits down to make sure he eats all of his food.  Franklin has many allergies and this may be the causing to her over protection.  "Well, I'm heading out.  You can play with that stuff if you want.  You know never to touch anything else in here.  Just don't tell your mother Franklin, she wouldn't like you in here alone (LaFleur 15)."  This is a quote said by Uncle Hugh.  Mrs. White is also not so great of a cook.  Elise claims that even her attempts at frying eggs are better than the eggs Franklin's mom cooks.