My Life Next Door Analysis

Imagine being in love with a person you have lived next to for 17 years, but you must hide it from your parents, because they would never allow it. “My Life Next Door” written by Huntley Fitzpatrick tells the forbidden relationship among Sam Reed and Jase Garrett. Sam’s life has always been very proper, disciplined, and well-mannered. She lives with her mother and one sister in a perfect, spotless house. Jase’s life is total opposite of Sam’s, and Sam’s mother, Gracie, does not approve. He has seven siblings, a disorganized way of life, and very little discipline. “My Life Next Door” fits our definition of good writing and is a well-written book. Fitzpatrick uses a variety of writing tools, fulfills the book’s purpose, and changes my views

Throughout the story, the amount of detail and description used to explain the characters and setting is really what made this story. For example, Fitzpatrick writes, “Up close, in the light spilling from my bedroom, he looks different from most of the Garretts—rangier, leaner, his wavy hair lighter brown, already with those streaks of blond some brunettes get in the summer” (14). This physical description really helps the reader to picture what Jase may look like and get a sense of his character. The author’s choice of words by saying “he looks different from most of the Garretts” (14) portrays to the reader that Jase is already different just by his looks. There is something particular about Jase that Sam sees in him that she doesn’t with the rest of the family. Fitzpatrick is also descriptive with the way she explains the setting. Something Gracie, Sam’s mother, would never approve of is that Sam watched the Garretts from her house. It sounds creepy but Sam longed to have what the Garretts had. She wanted a big family who had fun and a life not based on rules. Fitzpatrick describes the setting of where she sits and again it is very detailed, “Outside my bedroom window, there’s a small flat section of the roof with a tiny fence around it. Not really a balcony, more like a ledge. It’s in between two peaked gables, shielded from both the front and

“Samantha...why?” “I had to, Mom” (Fittzpatrick 293). This particular conversation happens in the falling action of the story. Although it is very short, it tells the reader that Sam’s mom was not too happy she told Jase and was very shocked. As said before, dialogue helps the reader stay interested and give a bit more information about the character. Not only were detail and voice key factors of this great piece of writing, but how Fitzpatrick is able to change her reader’s views on topics is just as important. In addition, this book changed my feelings about relationships. Jase and Sam start out slow as a couple but grow closer to one another. The way they feel about each other by the end of the book, even after obstacles they faced, shows me how much they truly care about one another. For example, Sam says, “I look into Jase’s eyes and tell the only truth I have. “I don’t know. I didn’t have that choice. But I know what’s happening now. And I’m choosing to stay with you.” It’s not clear who reaches for whom. Doesn’t matter. I have Jase in my arms and mine hold him tight” (Fitzpatrick 290). This scene really showed how much they loved each other and no matter what conflict they faced they were able to make it through together. My view changed, because in the beginning I thought it would just be a typical high school relationship where they break up after three months, but their relationship