Status Updates From Code of Silence (Code of Si...

In this chunk of the story, the kids are typing an anonymous letter to send the police to point them toward the real criminals. Throughout all this, they are trying to be secretive as to what they are writing, so when Cooper's mom comes in I would have two of the kids stand in front of Cooper to block the view of Cooper's typing. Maybe they would be closer to the front of the stage to really block the view.

This chapter focused on Hiro a lot more than the other main characters involved. She is very frustrated that her friends have stayed silent about the robbery and she wants to come out with the truth despite suspicions about corrupt officers being involved. More than anything she just wants justice for Frank, and she feels that as every day passes the case will be less likely to be solved.

The kids are getting out of interrogation because a large parent group protests outside the school on interrogation day. This will buy the kids a lot more time to figure out who the real criminals are. Just a few days prior Cooper had a close call being chased by the one headlight van that was seen at the crime scene, and now I think it is about time for the kids to get together and come up with some new plans.

If this book were a play, Cooper would probably be wearing some comfortable athletic shorts and a t-shirt. It's still warm out because they are just getting to early October at this time of the story. Many scenes take place outside right now, so the kids probably wouldn't be wearing anything too fancy.

If I were to act as Cooper I would probably show little emotion in order to keep suspicions away from myself. Any abnormal move could draw attention and get Cooper in trouble, so I would try to act as "normal" as possible.

Most of the story takes place at school and Cooper's house. So there would probably be two main sets. The school would have lots of desks, chairs, lockers, and maybe some wall decorations like a whiteboard or chalkboard. Cooper's house would probably be like a multipurpose room with a kitchen and living room with a TV where the family watches the news.

I think a partial theme to this story is that whatever happens in the dark will come to light. Cooper is trying to hide his association with the robbery to avoid becoming a suspect because the real criminals are likely apart of the police. The more I read the closer things get to Cooper's secret getting out and even though Cooper did nothing wrong, he can't hide forever.

Cooper's main conflict is that he left his bag at the scene of the crime and was seen by the robbers, putting a target on his back as a suspect. There are some suspicions about whether the robbers were corrupt cops making it very hard for Cooper to decide his next course of action. If he shows himself as a witness the same cops that commit the crime may single him out and reverse the blame or challenge his honesty.

An actor who represents one of the main characters in this book would be a young Robert Capron. Capron played Rowley in the early diary of a wimpy kid movies and he would be a perfect fit for the big goofy character Gordy.

Cooper had left his backpack at the crime scene when he was in a hurry trying to escape the robbers. When he went back to school a few days later he was missing his English book. His bag and book might symbolize how he left behind Frank and moving forward an innocent part of Cooper is left behind. This event will change Cooper forever.

The kids are entering school for the day. A quote that describes the setting in the book is, "Miss Ferrand offered no explanation, and the period passed in a blur. When the bell sounded for lunch, Cooper let out a shaky breath, as if he'd been holding it since he walked into the room. He couldn't get out of there fast enough." The imagery this quote gives me reminds me of my own experiences in the classroom.