NJSLA Paired Text Literary Analysis

Comparing Characters Who Grow Through Challenges"
Texts: Thank You, Mr. Falker & My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother
By Patricia Polacco

By Jazmine Drakeford

​

In both Thank You, Mr. Falker and My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother, the main characters experience challenges that help them grow and see others in a new way.

Write an essay comparing how the main characters change as a result of their experiences. Be sure to:

• Describe the challenge each character faces

• Explain how they respond to the challenge

• Analyze what they learn or how their point of view changes

• Use evidence from both texts to support your response

​Literary Analysis Essay Prompt

✅ Both characters face a personal struggle
✅ Both learn something about themselves or others
✅ Both stories end with an emotional turning point
🔄 Different kinds of challenges: internal (confidence) vs. sibling rivalry

​Similarities and Differences

Essay Structure

Intro – Name both stories and authors, and state what you’ll compare
Body 1 – Patricia’s challenge in Mr. Falker
Body 2 – Patricia’s challenge in Redheaded Brother
Body 3 (optional) – What both characters learn, how they’re similar/different
Conclusion – Final insight about growing through challenges

Body Paragraph 2
Patricia in My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother

Topic Sentence: Introduce her challenge in this story (sibling rivalry).

Explain the Challenge: Describe her desire to outdo her brother and the turning point at the carnival.

Text Evidence: Include a quote that shows her determination or her brother’s unexpected kindness.

Character Response: Explain how her perspective shifts.

Growth: Explain what she learns about her brother and herself.

Body Paragraph 1
Patricia in Thank you, Mr. Falker

Topic Sentence: Introduce Patricia’s challenge in this story.

Explain the Challenge: Describe her struggle with reading and how it affects her.

Text Evidence: Include a quote that shows her frustration or how she is treated.

Character Response: Explain how she reacts (emotionally or behaviorally).

Growth: Show what she learns or how she changes by the end.

Paragraph Structure

Paragraph Structure

Body Paragraph 3 – Comparison

Topic Sentence: Identify a shared theme or insight from both stories.

Compare/Contrast: Explain how the challenges are similar or different.

Evidence from Both Texts: Provide examples to support your points.

Conclusion of Paragraph: Explain how these experiences reflect a deeper understanding or message about growth and relationships.

Introduction & Conclusion Paragraphs

Purpose: Introduce the two texts, the author, and the big idea of your essay.

Hook: Start with a general statement about learning through challenges or relationships.

Introduce both texts and author:
Patricia Polacco shares powerful stories about personal growth in Thank You, Mr. Falker and My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother.

Brief summary of both stories:
In the first story, Patricia struggles with learning to read, while in the second, she feels overshadowed by her older brother.

Thesis Statement (What you will compare):
Both characters grow after facing challenges that help them see themselves and others in a new way.

Purpose: Wrap up your essay by restating your main point and sharing final insight.

Restate your thesis in a new way:
In both stories, Patricia Polacco shows how challenges can lead to growth and new understanding.

Summarize what each character learned:
In Thank You, Mr. Falker, Patricia learns to believe in herself. In My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother, she learns her brother truly cares.

Final thought (message or theme):
These stories remind readers that even hard moments can lead to powerful changes in how we see the people around us—and ourselves.

Multiple Choice

What is the main purpose of the introductory paragraph in a literary analysis essay?

• To explain what happened in the middle of both stories

• To retell every event in detail
  

• To introduce the texts, give a brief summary, and state the thesis

• To describe only one character in depth

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes what a body paragraph should include?

• A random quote from the story
  

• A retelling of the entire book
  

• A topic sentence, a challenge, text evidence, character response, and growth

• Only the character's name and the title of the book

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best explains what a thesis statement should do?

• Share a personal story
  

• State what both stories are mostly about
  

• Clearly state what you will compare and explain in the essay

• Describe one scene in detail

Multiple Choice

What should you include in the conclusion of your essay?

• New evidence not discussed before
  

• A summary of the story
  

• The thesis restated in new words, a recap of character growth, and a final insight

• A list of every character’s name

Multiple Choice

Why is it important to use text evidence in each body paragraph?

• To fill space and meet the word count
  

• To show you read the story out loud
  

• To support your analysis with proof from the text

• To list interesting parts of the book

Open Ended

In both "Thank You, Mr. Falker" and "My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother," the main characters experience challenges that help them grow and see others in a new light.

Write an essay comparing how the main characters change as a result of their experiences. Be sure to:

Describe the challenge each character faces

Explain how they respond to the challenge

Analyze what they learn or how their point of view changes

Use evidence from both texts to support your response