Scrawl

by Mark Shulman

Characters
Family:
Mother
Stepfather

Tod
Friends:
Bernie
Rex
Rob

School:
Mr.
Harmon
Mrs.
Woodrow
Mr.
Carnegie

Others:
Luz
Karen
Greg

Setting

Before we discuss Tods situation, lets take a look at our own.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

True or False

Most of the time, somebody at home (parent, sibling, etc.) cooks my meals or
makes sure I have eaten.
Most of the time, my dinner is somewhat healthy (vegetables, healthy meat,
healthy sides, fruit, dairy products, etc.)
Most of the time, somebody at home asks about my day, my homework or my
friends.
Most of the time, somebody at home makes sure I have clean clothes.
Sometimes, I also get new clothes.
Most of the time, my room is warm in the winter. I do not need to wear a
jacket inside the house.
Sometimes, I take part in extracurricular activities (organized sports, art
classes, drama club, improv, AV club, etc.)
Sometimes, I get to go on vacation and leave the house (cottage, cabin,
another city, abroad, etc.)
Most holidays or birthdays, I receive gifts.

Setting (continued)
Tods answers to the previous quiz would have all been false.

Tod lives in an
extremely poor
neighbourhood. He
lives in an old derelict
house, where heating
is a luxury. His
bedroom is a converted
porch where most of
the windows are
cracked. It is cold.

The school he attends

is mostly frequented by
underprivileged
children, like him.

Every week day, Tod

gets a subsidized
breakfast at school
(hot breakfast).

Tods friends (his

droogs), like him,
mostly come from
similar circumstances
(except Rob).

The cost of healthy

food is high. The cost
of fatty/unhealthy food
is low. As a result,
children from
extremely poor families
can be overweight.
Tod is overweight.

Every week day, Tod

gets a subsidized lunch
at school (free lunch
card).
These free lunch cards
are awarded every
week to students from
very low-income
families.

Facts About Education and

Poverty in America

1. What is the "Poverty Line," anyway? According to the 2011 U.S.

Census Bureau, it is a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children under 18) that
earns less than $23,021.
2. In 2011, nearly 46.2 million Americans were living in poverty.
3. Children living in poverty have a higher number of absenteeism or
leave school all together because they are more likely to have to
work or care for family members.
4. Students who come from low income families are seven times more
likely to drop out than those from families with higher incomes.
5. 40% of children living in poverty arent prepared for primary
schooling.
6. By the end of the 4th grade, low-income students are already 2
years behind grade level. By the time they reach the 12th grade
they are 4 years behind.

The story

Scrawl is the story of a bully, told by the bully. It is a firstperson narrative.

Tod Munn has a daily detention during which he must
scrawl his story in a beat-up notebook. This novel is his
notebook.
A guidance counselor, Mrs. Woodrow, reads his daily
accounts and comments on what Tod wrote.
We dont know what Tod did to deserve such punishment.
He had to choose between being put in a juvenile
detention center or attend a daily detention at school,
with Mrs. Woodrow. He chose the latter.
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