49 pages 1 hour read

Helen Frost

Keesha's House

Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | YA | Published in 2003

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Parts 7-8Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 7: “Finding Heartbeats” - Part 8: “Paint and Paintbrush”

Part 7, Chapter 43 Summary: “Keesha’s Brother (Stephie)

Keesha’s brother’s murder is on the front page of the newspaper. Stephie’s little brother is 14. like Tobias. He walks down Seventh Street, where people discovered Tobias's body. Keesha left practice in tears and isn’t speaking. Stephie compares the idea that teens have fun with the harsh realities. She wants to tell her brother to stay inside, and she wonders why Tobias was on Seventh Street during school. She wonders how many people will read the newspaper and throw it out.

Stephie is relieved that she can act like a typical teen again instead of a pregnant teen. She got an A on a research paper and feels happy.

Part 7, Chapter 44 Summary: “Invisible Shield (Jason)”

Jason goes to Tobias’s funeral with Stephie. He notices the tumultuous expression on Keesha’s face. Stephie tries talking to Keesha, but all she can say is the word “he” before Keesha leaves with Joe. Stephie explains Joe’s role in the teen community and asks Jason not to tell adults. Jason thinks professionals should help the teens, but he understands that Joe is a positive influence.