The document summarizes three short stories - The Giver by Lois Lowry, "Zebra" by Chaim Potok, and "A Retrieved Reformation" by O. Henry. It outlines the adversity faced by the main characters Jonas, Adam, and Jimmy Valentine and how they each overcome their challenges by running away from his community, healing from injuries, and rescuing a girl trapped in a safe.

1. 7th Grade ELA Performance
Task
By: Rena Clowers
Due Date: October 29 ,2012

2. Jonas - The Giver
Jonas’ adversity was that
he was the new Receiver for
the community.
The Giver gave his
memories to Jonas.
Some of them were nice,
but others weren’t so good.
One day he realized what
his community was doing
and he did not want to have
the memories anymore.
He wanted everyone in the
community to know what it
is like to have such
memories.

3. Jonas – The Giver
Jonas overcomes
this adversity by
running away from
the community.
He wants everyone
to know what it is
like to bear such
memories.
He never returns
again.

4. Adam Zebrin - Zebra
Adam’s adversity was
that he liked running and
hurt himself.
He hurt himself by
running down a hill and
could not stop because
he was going so fast.
He ran into a car and had
to get a cast for his hand
and a brace for his leg.
His hand still hurts
occasionally but, his leg
brace came off and he
might not run as fast
again.

5. Adam Zebrin - Zebra
Adam overcomes
this adversity
after he took a
summer art class
his hand started
to get better.
After it was fully
healed, the cast
was taken off and
he could run
again.

6. Jimmy Valentine - A Retrieved
Reformation
Jimmy Valentine’s
adversity was that he
was in jail for robbing
banks and got a pardon
and was going to change
his life.
He then moves to
Elmore, Arkansas where
he settles down and is
about to marry a
banker’s daughter,
Annabel.
Then, a week before their
marriage, Agatha,
Annabel’s niece gets
trapped in the safe and
Jimmy has to do
something or she would
die.

7. Jimmy Valentine - A Retrieved
Reformation
Jimmy over
comes this
adversity by
using his tools to
get Agatha out.
After his work is
finished, he just
walks out and
never comes back
again.

8. Reflections
Jonas’ adversity was that he did not
want to be the Receiver anymore.
He over comes this adversity by running
away.
Adam’s adversity is that he wants to run
but he can’t because he hurt his arm and
leg.
He overcomes this adversity by taking
this summer art class and slowly his
arm heals.
Jimmy Valentines adversity is that he
was a bank robber and got a chance to
turn his life around. When he was about
to give his tools to his friend, his
fiancé’s niece got trapped in a safe and
he was the only one that could save her.
He overcomes this adversity by getting
her niece out of the safe and never talks
to her again.

9. Bibliography
Lowry, Louis (1994). The Giver. Boston:
Mc Dougal Littell
Potok, Chaim. “Zebra.” Mc Dougal Littell
Literature. Boston: Mc Dougal Littell, 2009.
O. Henry. “A Retrieved Reformation.” Mc
Dougal Littell Literature. Boston: Mc
Dougal Littell, 2009.
Photograph Retrieved on 10/24/12
Photograph Retrieved on 10/24/12
Photograph Retrieved on 10/24/12