Mike, an orphan, is adopted by the mean Friedrich family and sent to work on their farm, where he meets the other workers - friendly Marta and Ruben but also mean Gunter who tries to get Mike in trouble. Mike strikes up a secret correspondence with the neighbor Cory, but Gunter spies on him and Mr. Friedrich is suspicious of spies, leading to conflicts on the farm.

1. Caught in the Act Joel M. Grade 6 Conte West Hills

2. Topics Characters Setting Plot Conflict

3. Characters Mike Small Red headed Sneaky Nosey Smart Mischievous Gunter Big Blonde Mean Not smart Nosey sneaky

4. Characters Mr. Friedrich Fat Cheap Mean Abusive Unforgiving Mrs. Friedrich Big Nice Good cooking Caring Helpful

5. Characters Marta Helpful Friendly Sneaky Ruben Poetic Friendly Tall Skinny Smart

6. Setting Open fields Barns Animals Tall grass Clear skys

7. Plot Mike is put on the orphan train Mike is adopt by the Friedrich family Mike goes to the Friedrich farm Mike met Ruben, Marta, and Gunter Mike was bet because Gunter set him up Mike made friends with Ruben Mike was sneaking note back and forth to Marta and Cory Bulair

8. Plot Cory Bulair is the Friedrich’s neighbor Gunter was spying on mike continuing to try to get him in trouble

9. Conflict Mr. Friedrich doesn't want anyone to talk about Ulrich Mr. Fredrick thinks that Ruben is a spy from Germany Gunter is try to get mike sent back to New York Mr. Friedrich doesn't know that mike is bringing notes back and forth from Cory to Marta