The Lemonade Crime

Jacqueline Davies

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2011

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-4

Chapters 5-8

Chapters 9-12

Chapters 13-16

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

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Discussion Questions

Symbols & Motifs

Jessie’s Backpack

Jessie recognizes that mailbags are more fashionable among the girls at school; however, she believes them to be impractical: they “banged against your knees and dug into your shoulder” (6). Her backpack characterizes her as someone who values sensible and practical choices rather than wanting to fit in with the trends and fashions of her peers. It also symbolizes her desire for control, as she notices that her friends’ mailbags bang and slap against them as they move. Her practical backpack is stationary on her back, allowing her to keep her belongings where she wants them.

Jessie’s Labels, Maps, and Instruction Sheets

Jessie believes that a thorough understanding of the legal process and her efforts to conduct “due diligence” in preparing for the court case will allow her to control the outcome of the case. Her labels, maps, and instruction sheets symbolize her efforts to control the trial’s outcome; she feels extremely confident in her ability to prove Scott’s guilt because of this preparation. However, Jessie learns an important lesson that people are unpredictable, and situations cannot be controlled.

Scott’s Dad’s Anger

Scott’s dad’s anger, which Evan believes is disproportionate to the boys’ behavior, symbolizes to Evan that Scott’s life is not perfect. Evan’s resentment of Scott was fueled by Scott’s family’s wealth and Scott’s apparent ability to always get his way. When Scott’s father embarrasses and upsets Scott in front of Evan, which Evan’s own parents would never do, Evan sees that Scott has his own challenges and disappointments. This realization, as well as Scott’s demure and embarrassed demeanor, motivates Evan to apologize to Scott for his cruelty during the basketball game.