Let It Snow- Setting

                                 In the three part book Let It Snow, the first part The Jubilee Express by Maureen Johnson, is about Jubilee Dougal's Christmas Eve. Often called Julie, the main character of this book is sent off to her grandparents house in Florida because her innocent parents were arrested in a riot over a porcelain elf house at the mall. To add to Julie's misfortunes, due to heavy snow fall, Julie's train is stranded in a quiet, small, and unfamiliar town. With no place to go, Julie and several other passengers (including fourteen annoying cheerleaders all named Madison) enter a warm waffle house. It is in this diner, where Julie meets Stuart; a  fifteen year old local with a part-time job at the restaurant. Stuart is kind enough to let Julie stay in his home for Christmas Eve. Julie quickly becomes friends with him, and spends the night at his house with his over-enthusiastic mother, and his hyper eight year old sister. The setting of this book, a cold and unfamiliar town, is very important in this book.

                             A reason the setting of this book is so important, is because without the bad luck Julie has had this Christmas, she wouldn't have seen how self-centered her boyfriend Noah was. For example, while alone in a diner, Julie calls Noah to tell him all about her troubles this evening. Trying to have a conversation with Noah, Julie notices Noah's distant and distracted voice. Even in her most desperate times, Noah is far too focused in his own activities. If it weren't for the terrible situation Julie was in, she wouldn't have realized how little Noah pays attention to her. It was important for Julie to realize that, because Noah wasn't what Julie wanted; someone who would listen to her and pay attention to her.

                          Another reason the setting of this book is important, is because Julie learns how to make the best of her situations. For example, when Julie finds out her Christmas plans are ruined, she is furious and refuses to try and cheer up. Ending up in this small, unknown town teaches her how to make the best of her situations and that not everything will always go as planned.

                        In conclusion, the setting is very important in the story because Julie realizes Noah is not right for her and she learns her plans won't always go the way she wants them to go.