Sahara Special
Literary Element: Character
By: Natascha Howell
Table of Contents
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Definition
Character Overview
Character Development Description
Function of Each Character
Memorable Quotes
Character
Character can be defined as
any person, animal, or figure
represented in a literary
work. There are many types
of characters that exist in
literature, each with its own
development and function.
Character Overview
Sahara Jones
Ms. Pointy
Rachel Wells
Darrell Sikes
Sahara lives with her mom. Her
father has abandoned her
family which has left Sahara
feeling insecure. Sahara is
smart and likes writing. She
wants to be a writer.
Madame Poitie is fiesty,
colorful, smart and a bit
unorthodox in her teaching.
She is a little bit of a rule
breaker. She cares about her
students very much.
Shy, maybe a bit “stuck up”.
She is Sahara’s cousin and best
friend. Rachel gives her honest
opinions about Sahara,
sometimes without much
support.
Darrell is a kid that is very rude,
mean and has a very rough
exterior. He is in Special
Education.
Character Development Description:
● A good character develops over the course of a book.
● In Sahara Special there are characters that develop and change and
some characters just reveal themselves more. Sahara is the main
character, so as Ms. Pointy points out, “...the main characters is the
one who changes.” (pg 169)
● Similarly, Darrell is like Sahara’s twin, so he also changes and
develops.
● Ms. Pointy and Rachel are supporting characters so they reveal more
with time, but they more or less stay the same.
Development of Sahara’s
Character
● Beginning: Very quiet in school and because of difficulties
at home has stopped participating in class. She is now in
Special Ed and is repeating 5th grade. Writes for herself.
● Middle: Developing her relationship with herself by writing
in her class journal, requested by Ms. Pointy. Writes
unsent letters to her absent dad. Starts to feel her own
strength and voice through Darrell and friends.
● End: Feels herself growing as a person and now she kshe
does not need to write her dad. Stronger,
selfassured. Labels do not define her now.
Revealing of Ms. Pointy’s Character
● Beginning: Looks wild and like a “burnt-out
teenager”. Very colorful and teaches in an
unorthodox way. Seems like she may not be
an ordinary teacher. Is very feisty and a curt
when needed.
● Middle: Goes the extra mile to make sure
kids are learning and also growing as a
person. Will break rules to protect her
students from perceived threats.
● End: Proves she will see and care for
all students in her class, even the rude ones.
By her teaching, she shows there is a depth
and tenderness to her life story and therefore
motive to teach.
Rachel Wells
Beginning: Doesn’t seem entirely
involved in caring much about
Sahara’s feelings. She is a bit
selfish and in Sahara’s words
“stingy.” Not an encouraging friend.
Middle: By Sahara’s side in difficult
times too. Begins to believe that
Sahara can become a writer.
End: Still Sahara’s friend and is a
bit more supportive in her friend’s
dreams.
Darrell Sikes’s
Development
Beginning: Is in Special Ed and sits
in hallway with the SpEd teacher to
do meaningless activities. Gives
Ms. Pointy a hard time.
Middle: Still gives Ms. Pointy a
hard time and is very aggressive.
His mother is overly aggressive as
well and it starts to make sense
End: Ms. Pointy continues to
engage him and challenges him in
class conversations. He starts to
see that he is capable of more
thinking and sensitivity than he
shows.
Function of Each Character
●
Ms. Pointy is a character that points the students in the right direction and
challenges them too.
●
Sahara is toggled to each character and seems to grow by interacting and
learning from each of the other characters. She describes to the reader that
you cannot judge a book by the cover.
●
Darrell shows that Ms. Pointy can be pushed far but she maintains her
goodness and commitment to him. He also shows that there are many
depths to a person’s character.
●
Rachel highlights the insecurity that Sahara can feel at times by being pretty
unencouraging.
Memorable Quotes
“Someday, someone will reach behind section 940 and find the dusty works of
me, Sahara Jones, Secret Writer, and that person’s life will be made more
exciting just by reading my Heart Wreching Life Stories and Amazing
Adventures.”
-Sahara Jones
“Teachers aren’t paid to love children….Loving children is what teachers do for
extra credit.”