Narrative arcs and the prototypical “Plot Diagram” are essential for building literary comprehension and appreciation. Plot diagrams allow students to pick out major themes in the text, trace changes to major characters over the course of the narrative, and hone their analytic skills.
By creating a book summary, chapter summary or plot diagram in storyboard layout, students can easily remember important things from the story and use it to study for an exam or prepare for a project.
The Stars Beneath Our Feet is about 12-year-old Wallace "Lolly" Rachpaul growing up in Harlem in New York City. The book begins Christmas Eve a few months after Lolly's big brother Jermaine was tragically killed in a gang-related shooting. The story follows Lolly as he channels his grief into creativity. This inspirational story of family, tragedy, and resilience demonstrates the healing power of art, community, and friendship.
Have students create a visual plot summary of The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore using this fun activity!
Storyboard Text
THE STARS BENEATH OUR FEET
EXPOSITION / CONFLICT
RISING ACTION
LOLLY ROSE'S10 FT TALL TOWER CONTEST TODAY!
The Stars Beneath Our Feet is about 12-year-old Wallace Lolly Rachpaul in Harlem. His big brother Jermaine was tragically killed in a gang-related shooting. The story follows Lolly as he channels his grief into creativity. Lolly uses his imagination and artistry to build the extensive, intricate world of Harmonee from Lego bricks.
CLIMAX / TURNING POINT
BODEGA
Lolly lives with his mother in St. Nicholas Housing Projects in Harlem. His best friend Vega lives in an apartment nearby and is someone Lolly can always count on, especially after the sudden and tragic death of his older brother, Jermaine. Lolly's parents are divorced and his father has not been around much. Knowing that he has been struggling with his grief, his mother's girlfriend Yvonne gifts him two big garbage bags full of Lego bricks for Christmas.
FALLING ACTION
Lolly attends an after-school program where he talks with Mr. Ali, a social worker who helps Lolly process his grief. Mr. Ali allows Lolly to build his Lego creations in an empty storage room and Lolly looks forward to escaping there to his make-believe world, Harmonee. One day Mr. Ali allows Rose, who struggles socially due to her autism, to come to the storage room and build alongside Lolly. At first, Lolly resents her invading his sanctuary and challenges her to a tower-building contest, which ends in a tie.
RESOLUTION
Lolly and Rose communicate through their love of architecture. Rose is grieving the loss of her mother to suicide. Unfortunately, the storage room is going to be repurposed. Before they dismantle their worlds, they have a display for the community. Lolly makes it onto the news! One evening, Lolly and Vega get jumped by gang members who have been harassing them. Lolly's phone and Vega's jacket are stolen and both boys are badly beaten up.
The attack leaves both boys angry and hurt, but Lolly has his Lego bricks and his dreams of becoming an artist. Vega is disillusioned and so angry that he thinks of joining a gang to seek revenge. He even procures a gun. Lolly talks Vega out of pursuing revenge and the two throw the gun into the river. They don't want to go down the same tragic path as Lolly's brother Jermaine.
Lolly realizes even though he will always miss his brother, he can channel his grief positively and keep Jermaine's memory alive by talking to him and seeking help from the positive influences around him. He says the people you are friends with can either lift you up higher or bring you down low. Your choices are what make you who you are.