Characters: Steven, Steven’s family, Mr Perkins and Ms Ruby.
Setting: At home-in stores-back at home.
Plot: Aunt Carolyn doesn’t take Steven on trips.
Genre: Fable.
The Jones Family Express is written by Javaka Steptoe. It mainly talks about a boy named Steven who wants to go on a trip with his Aunt Carolyn, but he isn’t old enough. This year, he is still hoping for a trip but wants to get a gift for his aunt. He went inside two shops, but none of them had anything special that fit her. Finally, he got into Uncle Charles' shop, and found an old train which was just the right thing. He just needs to fix and paint a little, that’s all. When he gave the present to Aunt Carolyn, she was both surprised and amazed. She gave a postcard to Steven, and it clearly wote in big letters that he was good for one trip with Aunt Carolyn.
The best gifts are handmade, because that comes straight from your heart, and we know that we used our heart to do it. Handmade gifts come straight from our hearts, and we won’t be frustrated when choosing the right gift for someone. When we don’t have enough money, we can make one by ourselves, because whether it's bought from a store or not isn’t a big deal. In the book, Steven can’t find anything special when he goes through the first two stores, but from a pile of old junk from Uncle Charles’ shop, he handmade a small train which is just some photos of his family. It uses a rhetorical device called symbolism, because the Jones family express is the train’s name, and it’s only for them. It resembles that the family sticks together. We need to make gifts by hand, because that's the gift people think is special. It resembles specialness, love and care. Whether the price of a gift is expensive or not, showing your heart is the most important thing.
The relationship between family members is also important, because it connects the bonds of the family together. Family bonds link the family together, so without a relationship, it is no longer a family, and the bonds will be broken. Family members need to have a strong relationship, because it connects the family together as one. In the book, Steven’s family gets along very well. They care for each other, talk and laugh, and also are very happy all the time. They have a strong family bond between each other. Family bonds are so important that if we don’t have them, we’re not a family. We need to get along with each other nicely, and strengthen the relationship between us. So, relationships between families are very crucial, because it shows the family’s strong bonds that are linked in every family member’s heart.
Specialness is important because it makes someone feel significant, and also lets us feel happy. When we feel special, we will feel happy and proud. We will think that everyone is watching us, and we are very popular and significant. Specialness will also let others have a good impression on us. We can show off by that point. In the book, Aunt Carolyn feels significant, and everybody was cuddled around her asking her questions and listening to her stories. Steven is the most special: He gets a postcard that Aunt Carolyn gives to no one but Steven. He also gets to go with Aunt Carolyn on a trip when he is older. No matter how hard being special is, we need to know that we are special. Everyone is unique and has different abilities, so what matters is not trying to be significant, but knowing that you are special. So, specialness is very important because you can be both significant and unique.
In conclusion, this book tells us three qualities: Firstly, the best gifts are handmade, because they come straight from our heart and has a special meaning; Secondly, family bonds are important, because without them, our family might never be a family again; And thirdly, specialness is important when we are showing off or we want to be significant. This book is very interesting, and I really really recommend you to read it.
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