The document provides biographical information about author Lisa Graff, noting that she was born in 1981 in Southern California, studied linguistics and psychology in college before pursuing an MFA in children's writing, and has authored several popular children's books including "Umbrella Summer" and "The Thing About Georgie."

1. Kaela Valdez
Ms. Roche-Reading Class
3rd period

2. Lisa Graff was born on 1981 in a town called
Big Bear, a tiny ski resort in Southern
California. She moved to L.A. and studied
Linguistics and Cognitive Psychology at ULCA
but changed and entered the MFA Program
writing for children at the New School in
Manhattan. She started an editorial job at
Society of Children’s Book Writer and
Illustrator. She is also the author of another
famous “The Thing About Georgie.” Among her
other books are “The Life and Crimes of Bernetta
Wallflower,” and the latest, “Double Dog Dare.”
Aside from writing, she loves reading and
board. She currently lives in Brooklyn with her
cat, named Henry.

3.  Umbrella Summer is a story of a 10 yr old girl, named Annie Richards, who has an
older brother named Jared. Jared died unexpectedly after he got hit by a hockey
puck playing in Cedar Lake and they found out he had a rare heart condition called
aortic dissection, which caused him to die. After her brother‟s death, she became
extra cautious worrying all the time about her health. It affected her friends and
family. Will Annie go back into a fun loving girl and start being happy again? Will
she be able to close totally her umbrella? Read and find out.

4.  Annie Richards- a 10 yr old girl who is the main character of the book.
She has a brother named Jared who died unexpectedly of heart disease.
She used to be a fun-loving girl, but after her brother‟s death, she
started worrying about her health.
 Rebecca Young- blonde hair, loves ballet, Annie‟s friend, whose dad is a
doctor
 Mrs. Finch- Annie‟s new neighbor who bought “ the haunted house.”
 Mrs. Harper- Annie‟s next door neighbor.
 Tommy- Jared‟s best friend.
 Mr. and Mrs. Richards- Annie‟s parents

5. Introduction:
Meet Annie Richards, her family and friends
Setting
Cedar Haven, CA
Rising Action
Annie‟s older brother died unexpectedly.
Annie became extremely cautious about her health
Annie stopped hanging out with Doug Zimmerman
Annie stole a book called Preventing Everyday Illness
Mrs. Finch moved to the haunted house.
Annie refused to go to Rebecca‟s hamster‟s funeral.
Mrs. Finch and Annie became good friends
Mrs. Finch‟s husband also died recently.

6.  Mrs . Finch help Rebecca and Annie become friends again.
 Annie talked to her parents about her brother‟s death.
 Annie helped her mom finally go to Jared‟s room.

7. FALLING ACTION
 Mrs. Finch was able to hang her husband‟s fish pictures with Annie‟s help.
 Annie stopped reading Preventing Everyday Illness.
 They celebrated Jared‟s birthday by posting a paper and writing things
Jared liked to do.

8.  Annie and her family was able to move on.
 Annie‟s mom is planning to give away some of Jared‟s
clothes and finally cleaned up his room
 Annie started playing obstacle courses with her friends
 Annie and Mrs. Finch helped each other by closing their
own “umbrella.”

9.  Despondent- in low spirits, from loss of hope or courage. Pg 49
 “She looks despondent when she saw the result of her exam.”
 Cautious-adj; attentive to potential problems or dangers pg 49
 “I am very cautious when I cross the street.”
 Gnawed-v; to bite, chew on, or erode with the teeth pg 73
 “The mouse gnawed my little brother‟s new shoes.”
 Stupefied-v; make someone unable to think or feel properly, astonish or shock pg
170
 “I was stupefied about the news of my friend‟s moving to another school.”
 indestructible-adj; not able to be destroyed pg 233
 “I made a toy that is indestructible.”

15. Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same if I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
„Cause I know I don‟t belong here in heaven
Would you hold my hand if I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand if I saw you in heaven?
I‟ll find my way through night and day.
„Cause I know I just can‟t stay here in heaven.
Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart, have you begging please,
begging please
Beyond the door there‟s peace, I‟m sure
And I know there‟ll be no more tears in heaven
Repeat paragraph 1.

16. I gave my book a 5 star rating for Umbrella Summer
because the characters are very realistic, and this story
reminded me of losing my grandfather a couple yrs ago,
and it helps you learn to cope with sadness and grief of
losing someone. I recommend this book because I really
enjoyed reading it and at the same time, it helped me
learn how to deal with life‟s realities, like death.