- The document provides biographical information about an author named Rita Williams-Garcia and discusses her young adult novels, including her first published novel titled "Blue Tights". - It then summarizes a short story by Williams-Garcia titled "Crazy as a Daisy" which is about a girl named Marguerite who loves to dance uniquely and freely despite facing criticism and exclusion from others. - The story is told from Marguerite's first-person perspective and takes place during the era of singer James Brown, focusing on Marguerite's experiences dancing in a unique style in college.

1. Beverly Deen June 17, 2008 10 th Literature/Compostion

2. She was born in Queens, New York on April 13, 1957 She’s the oldest child The nickname her mom gave her was “NoMo” Her first novel that was published was called Blue Tights In 1996, she won an award for Best Book for Young Adults Citation (ALA)

3. She’s the author of four distinguished young adult novels She has two daughters named Michelle and Stephanie Rita lives in both New York and Jamaica She works as a manager in a marketing and media company Her work has been recognized by the Coretta Scott King Award Committee, the PEN/Norma Klein Award, the American Library Association, and Parents' Choice, and others.

4. Marguerite and her sister await for their father’s arrival. When he arrives they are going to dance to some of his favorite music. When he got their he danced with Rosalyn but wouldn’t dance with Marguerite, he said she couldn’t dance and nobody wanted to dance with her.

5. She was greatly hurt by her father saying that but then she went on and decided she was going to dance crazy, since her name does mean crazy as a daisy. She hated all the boy-girl dances because she would rather dance like a boy than dance like a girl.

6. When she got older, she would go to dances and always dance crazier and weirder than everyone else there. The parties began to make signs saying that you must be dressed up in order to get in, in other words they were trying to prevent marguerite from getting in. She then meets a guy whom already knows her from her crazy dancing. She decides that she’ll teach him how to dance.

7. Marguerite – She’s very sensitive but doesn’t let it show, always herself, doesn’t do things to fit in. Rosalyn – Marguerite’s sister, always has her way, favorite child Dad- works in the military, loves to dance.

8. Momma – stay at home wife Veroy – a boy who marguerite thought liked her, wanted to do boy-girl dancing with him. Roland – A gorgeous senior, wanted to go to dances with him

9. The point of view for this story is First Person. The main character Marguerite tells the entire story from her view. You get an insight into her feelings and see everything from her view.

10. It mainly takes place in the James Brown era. Marguerite was in College.

11. When marguerite and her sister where awaiting her fathers arrival so they could dance with him.

12. Marguerite’s father telling her that nobody wants to dance with her.

13. Going to college parties and dancing crazy at the parties. The head of the parties start making posters with requirements of being eligibility to get into the parties so that Marguerite wouldn’t be able to get in.

14. She met a guy named Roland and was completely mesmerized by him. She starts to talk with him at lunch one day.

15. She decides that she is going to teach him to dance and loosen up. He denies her at first saying that he doesn’t want to dance crazy as a daisy but she says she can teach him in other ways.

16. The school she goes to always finds some way to bring her down about the way she dances. Her father telling her that nobody wants to dance with her.

17. She feels as if nobody really does want to dance with her because she doesn’t dance like a girl but instead she dance like a guy. She thinks that she can never get a guy to truly like her and not be just a “friend”

18. The main theme I noticed was that you should always be yourself. The main character Marguerite showed this through the story, she never changed for anyone.

19. Symbol I think the symbol would be the meaning of her name “Crazy as a Daisy.” This is because it starts to become the name of her dance and everything. I think it symbolizes individuality.

20. Protagonist The central Character of this novel would definitely be Marguerite. It evolves around her life and the way she dances.

21. Implied theme The theme is revealed gradually throughout the short story. The theme I think it would be is to remain true to yourself.

22. Definition: Belonging or suited to polite society Wel-bred or refined; polite; elegant; stylish affectedly or pretentiously polite, delicate, etc. Page 91 The girls danced genteel girl dances like the tip, a girl version of the funky corners, and the philly-dog, on one side of the room.

23. Definition: Participating in the knowledge of something secret or private Belong or pertaining to some particular person Secret, concealed, hidden Page 90 Not even my sister was privy to this treasured secret.

24. Definition: Tremulous fear, alarm, or agitation; Perturbation. Trembling or quivering moment; tremor Page 96 I couldn’t tell if trepidation was from the prospect of embarking on new ground or from the shock of being enclosed in the scattered mess that was my home.

25. Advice for Marguerite I think it is good that she still has that individuality that not many people can fully grasp. She is still able to do things without a care in the world of what others think or perceive of her. I think she should loosen up just a little though and let her girly side out. It would be easier for her to get a guy if she would not be such a boy.

26. I predict that Marguerite will finally date Roland. She is starting to be more herself and not so “crazy as a daisy” like she used to be. I think that once she teaches him how to dance that they’ll start to have a connection and will begin to like each other.

27. I was surprised by the way marguerite reacted to her father’s comment about nobody wanting to dance with her. You knew it got to her but she didn’t show it on the outside but that when she became “crazy as a daisy.”

28. Crazy as a Daisy would definitely be around a seven. This is because it has a good central message within it. The message being sent that you should always be true to yourself. Other than the central message being taught the story is alright, it kind of just lingers on.