1. Author: Andy Mulligan Genre: Action and mystery
NOTE: Title should be italics!
Trash
Author: Andy Mulligan
Genre: Action and mystery

2. Setting:
WHERE: The story takes place in an unnamed third-world country, but the imagery matches that of India. The characters live in the slums and are often at the garbage piles in the Behala dumpsite. WHEN: This story does not include a specific year, but it spans the time of a few months in current day.

3. Characters:
Protagonist: Raphael Fernandez Raphael is a fourteen year old dumpsite boy narrates this part of the story and it entails many interesting ideas about the Behala dumpsite. He is poor but acts as the bread winner for the family. He has courage and is also supported by his two best friends, Rat and Gordo.
Antagonist: The police The police are meant to protect the people in the garbage site and the slum, but instead, they accept bribes and showcase the corrupt government that’s a part of this society.

4. Plot Diagram
The police catch up with the boys, and the boys figure out where the treasure is hidden.
The police offer a reward for the missing item, and the boys continue to hide it.
The boys escape the police.
Raphael finds something in a plastic bag.
The boys take the money and give it back to their community, without spoiling their identities.
Raphael and his friends pick for trash in the dumpsite.

5. Theme:
Despite unthinkable poverty, there is a kind of hope and determination that can transcend it.

6. Ideal Reader:
The ideal reader is someone who would enjoy learning about another culture, but doesn’t mind sitting down and reading a book cover to cover…because this is a page-turner! Because the main characters are male, boys might be more drawn to it. However, the easy-to-read language makes it a genuine read for all pre- teens and teens.

7. Movie:
With twists and turns, unrelenting action, and deep, raw emotion, Trash is a heart-pounding, breath-holding novel. The imagery and multiple perspectives would be ideal for a movie.