Jess (book)

Jess
The cover of Jess.
Published	2006
Author	Mary Casanova
Illustrator	Robert Papp
ISBN	1593690169

Jess is the book about Jess McConnell. It was included with the doll when she was available to be purchased; it was available separately, but is now retired.

Characters

See Also: Minor Characters in Jess's Story

• Jess McConnell
• Mother, Mom: Of Japanese descent. An archeologist.
• Father, Dad: of Scotch-Irish descent. An archeologist.
• Sarita Bol: Jess’s friend in Belize
• Micheal Bol: Tour guide, father of Sarita Bol

Chapter By Chapter Summary

Chapter One: Good-bye, Home; Hello, Jungle

Jess and her parents are on the plane; they are currently over Belize. Jess is a little nervous at arriving at their destination. She points out the jungle to her mother, who then talks about the various artifacts they may locate while there. Her father chimes in as well, excited about what they may discover. Jess joins in a little--she is interested in Belize, but not in the archeology as she finds it dull. Her mother takes her interest to be about archeology and continues talking about how the artifacts they locate will give information about the past, despite others only using the items as treasures to be sold and a lot of looters.

As her parents talk about archeology, Jess looks at her parents, mentioning their looks--her father is fair with light hair and of Scotch-Irish descent and her mother is Japanese. Jess has gone on smaller digs with them but this is the first time any of them have been outside the States.

Jess asks about looting in the Caracol ruins; this is not so much interest as it is showing that she has been paying attention to their discussions over the past year. Her parents had not planned to take any of their three children on the trip but Jess had convinced them to come. She is glad her brother and sister are not around as they tend to fuss over her and boss her around. Jess's father says that only a small part of the ruins has been uncovered which is protected; however, the rest stretch rather far, and so there is no way to know what looters have taken already.

Her parents continue to talk, and Jess looks out the window. She thinks that she might pay more attention if they were talking about soccer, one of her hobbies. She starts making a list of some of the "firsts" she is experiencing.

• First trip outside the United States
• First passaport
• First time being homeschooled
• First time being in a jungle
• First trip without her siblings

Jess then thinks about her siblings, Jason and Heather, at home being watched by Grandma Emi. When the plane is about to touch ground, Jess takes two notes out of her bag and reads them. The first one is from her sister Heather. Heather’s note is neatly written on a piece of stationary saying that she loves Jess and for her to be careful. The second note is from her brother Jason. His note is sloppily written on a piece of loose-leaf. His note telling Jess to be careful and doesn’t want anything to happen to Jess. Jess thinks about how nice it’s going to be not getting teased by her siblings the next five months.

Jess exits the plane with her parents and checks in with customs. Jess and her parents get into a cab and go to the bus station. On the way to the bus station Jess is looking out the cab window and sees houses in poor condition and starving animals on the side of the road. They arrive at the bus station and it is crowded with all sorts of people, including an older gentleman with two chickens.

While in line a young boy comes up to Jess asking for money, referring to Jess as “lady”. Jess doesn’t know how to handle the situation and looks to her parents for help, but they are preoccupied at the ticket booth. Jess tells the boy she isn’t a lady and he leaves. A group of teenage boys in bump into several people including Jess and woman with a child. She scolds the teenage boys in and turns to Jess and says something in Spanish Jess doesn’t understand. Jess thinks of how fortunate she is that her family can provide for themselves and doesn’t have to beg. She starts feeling uneasy without her siblings their to comfort and protect her. Jess thinks about how she’s going to have to figure things out for herself, whether she’s ready or not.

Chapter Two: Ancient Ruins

While riding the bus to San Iguano, Jess sees an Amish man and learns from her father that there are Amish and Mennonites in Belize, and the diversity of the country. Jess and her family then meet Michael Bol, a very nice man who drives the McConnell's to the site. Arriving at Caracol, Jess meets the staff and Fuzz, a mischievous spider monkey who Jess becomes friends with. She adds to her list of firsts:

• First time meeting a real, live spider monkey
• First Maya ruins

The McConnell's then set out to see the ruins. Jess is surprised to see soccer nets. Jess then discovers where her family will stay - in a small thatched-roof hut with a dirt floor. She immediately claims the top bunk, only to be beaten by Fuzz, and humorous remarks follow, ending the chapter.

Chapter Three: Alone

In chapter three, we meet Jess two weeks later. Here, we learn about Jess's routine and the nightly soccer games and stories shared around the bonfire. Next, Jess has just finished her homework, and wants to go outside and play with Fuzz. Jess is kind of lonely, and wants a human child to play with, though she likes Fuzz a lot. She asks her parents to play with her, but they are both really busy and promise to play with her later. Jess walks to the soccer field, and kicks the ball into the goal, but falls hard on the ground, and discovers a girl named Sarita standing by her, asking if she needs a goalie.

Chapter Four: A Friend

Jess and Saria continue to play soccer for the rest of the afternoon. It is learned that Saria is Michael Boi’s daughter. Saria is the same age as Jess (ten years old). Saria in Standard Fourth Grade at School of the Sacred Heart, but currently the school is on winter break. Saria has three younger brothers, several chickens, and had a dog a while ago.

The girls take turns scoring goals, one kicking the other being goalie. They talk about soccer games in the Mayan times. Back then players would use their whole bodies (except for their hands), had heavier balls and would try to score goals through hoops instead of nets. They were talking about how to losing team would be salves to the winner’s kingdom. Jess hears high-pitched howls in the jungle and grabs Sarita’s arm asking what made the noise. Jess had heard howler monkeys before, but they didn’t sound as shrill. Sarita wasn’t concerned and explained that it was howler monkeys sound different the closer they get and that they would make a lot of noise before a storm. 

Jess and Sarita go inside the hut and tried to continue a conversation but the storm was too loud. Jess looks outside and sees that a tree baby parrots were nesting in fell down. She runs outside to check on the tree. She finds a baby parrot and brings it back to the hut. They make a nest out of a small purse Jess bought as a souvenir for Heather.

After the storm Sarita and Jess go to the ranger station with the baby parrot. Sarita explains to Barbara how Jess rescued the baby parrot from the fallen tree. Barbara explains that every year or two that the rangers will find a baby parrot. The Belize Zoo would come and take the parrot at some point but until then the girls could take care of the bird. Barbara explains that the baby parrot is a wild animal, but it would tolerate being fed by a human. She gives Jess unsweetened cereal, dried fruit and vegetables, and bird pellets.

Jess and Sarita find the adults. Jess introduces Sarita to her parents and explains to her parents and Michael Bol how they found the baby parrot. Jess then says that her and Sarita are going to take turns caring for it. The adults are hesitant as it’s a big responsibility but Jess and Sarita are up to the challenge.

Chapter Five: Fire Ants

The next day Sarita comes over. Jess thinks about how lonely she was before she met Sarita. When she’s gone on other digs with her parents, she’s had Heather and Jason’s company. Sarita enters the hut and makes a comment about how it’s cooler in there than outside. Jess replies that it feels warm everywhere for her. Sarita asks how the baby parrot is. Barbara couldn't determine the gender of the bird and Jess didn't want to keep calling the baby parrot “it”. Jess decided that the baby parrot is a “she”. Jess and Sarita come up with names such as Crackers, Polly, and Pepper. Sarita suggests the name Pippi, after Pippi Longstocking.

Michael Bol waves Jess and Sarita overs. Jess and Sarita reluctantly make their way to the grownups thinking that Sarita would have to go home. Jess’s parents introduce Jess to Mr. and Mrs. Cutwell, a retired couple from Texas. The Cutwell’s invited both Jess and Sarita to go with them on their eco-adventure. They would be gone for five days, camping outside at night. Nights they weren't camping they would be going to Sarita’s house. Jess is excited but declines the invitation due to taking care of Pippi. Micheal Bol suggest they bring Pippi along, as Pippi does live in the jungle. When the girls couldn't care for the parrot Sarita’s brother could take care of Pippi. Sarita is unsure but her father reassures her it’ll be alright. Jess’s parents would take care of the bird, but they were busy with their work. Jess’s father was on board if Michael thought it was ok. 

Jess starts to run back to the hut to prepare and is bitten by fire ants. She runs back to her parents who console her. Jess’s dad makes a comment about the fire ant highway that rungs through the field. Jess reassures her dad she’s fine, while on the verge of tears. At the hut, Jess’s mothers put on an ointment and reminds Jess to be careful. Jess’s mother also reminds her that Sarita’s home is going to be different than the ones in Jess’s hometown of Houghton. Jess tells her mother she’ll be more careful and asks for her mom’s help to pack.

Jess added getting bit by fire ants to her list.

Chapter Six: Sarita's Home

Jess visits Sarita's house, and can't help thinking how different it is from her house in the United States.