In Between by Jenny B. Jones by Tamryn Mackey

mackeytamryn — 2025-01-30 19:28:35 UTC

Katie Parker is a sixteen-year-old orphan who has a reputation of being a trouble maker. When Katie is eventually adopted by a kind, enthusiastic couple named James and Millie, Katie wants nothing more than to leave her new life behind and go back to Sunny Side Orphanage instead of facing this new change. However, as Katie gets to know her new foster parents better, she realizes that they are amazing people, and that she was too quick to judge them before she really knew them. Katie's perspective on her new town, In Between, changes when she opens herself up to new opportunities, and she begins involving herself with the town, and its people. Finally, after realizing how the town and everyone in it has changed her for the better, Katie decides to have a better mindset towards her new life, and she chooses to put her trouble making past behind her, and to make better decisions.

mackeytamryn — 2025-01-30 19:34:42 UTC

Katie learns from her mistake after breaking into James and Millie's theater, and chooses to make better choices in order to gain her foster parents trust back. The theater symbolizes reflection.

mackeytamryn — 2025-02-18 23:41:24 UTC

In order to gain her foster parents trust back, Katie needs to follow all of their expectations including going to church and youth groups with them. After spending time at church, and seeing how invested everyone is, Katie begins to feel out of place knowing that she has never made time for God in her life. She is worried she won't be able to find a relationship with God, and she wonders if she should start spending more time with the Lord like everyone else.

mackeytamryn — 2025-02-19 00:09:45 UTC

When Katie first moves in with James and Millie, she instantly feels as if she does not fit in, and she worries that others might not accept her because of her past. The bedroom symbolizes Katie's anxiety towards the new change she is experiencing.

mackeytamryn — 2025-02-19 00:37:45 UTC

Katie learns that her past mistakes do not define who she is. I can relate to this because in my life because I often find myself dwelling on the past and worrying too much about every little thing I do wrong. However, the Bible tells us that, God will cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

mackeytamryn — 2025-02-19 00:41:00 UTC

One of the main conflicts takes place when Katie tries to fit in by making friends with the "popular" clique. However, when Katie gets invited to a sleepover with all of the girls in the clique, the girls take Katie to an "abandoned" theater, but little did Katie know, the theater is actually owned by her foster parents and by sneaking into this theater, they are breaking an entering. When Katie is taken into the trap room, the girls lock Katie in, while they vandalize the rest of the theater before quickly escaping, leaving Katie trapped on her own. Later, when the police show up and bust Katie out of the trap room, they are led to believe that Katie was the one who vandalized the theater, even though she was actually framed. Katie is then arrested, and when James and Millie bail her out of jail, they explain to her that she will need to help fix the damage done to the theater as a punishment.

mackeytamryn — 2025-02-19 04:29:49 UTC

Throughout the novel, Katie learns how to adjust to change, and be open to new opportunities. Katie is able to view her new town, and life in a new perspective when she learns to be accepting of change, and she gains an overall happier mindset about herself. When Katie finally accepts her change, and see's how much she enjoys acting on stage, and going to church, she realizes that embracing the unknown can lead to personal growth and self-discovery.

mackeytamryn — 2025-02-19 05:10:39 UTC

"Katie, when I saw you standing in the spotlight, I just knew. I've been praying for a daughter... and spending all my time chasing after Amy. But the kid I'm supposed to be taking care of? Well, she's right here" (Jones 346). This quote is important because Katie learns that, despite her past mistakes and flaws, Millie has always been confident in Katie and she has loved her even when Katie felt like she didn't belong, or that she wasn't right for the Scott's.

mackeytamryn — 2025-02-19 13:13:07 UTC

The tree symbolizes Katie's love-hate relationship with her foster grandma, Maxine. When Katie first meets Maxine, she immediately see's how careless, and wild she is. However, when Maxine forces Katie to climb up into a tree and spy on her friend, Katie knows Maxine has taken her wild side too far, and she isn't looking forward to ever doing anything for Maxine ever again. However, despite all of the crazy things Maxine forces Katie to participate in, Katie secretly admires her fun and exciting attitude.