Fish in a Tree

by

Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Suki Character Analysis

One of Ally's classmates; she's a Japanese immigrant and is still learning English. When she's nervous she rolls a carved wooden block around in her hands, and she's often anxious when Shay bullies others. Suki later shares that her grandfather carved the blocks for her when she still lived in Japan, and that she misses him greatly. Suki and Ally are able to connect through their individual love for their respective grandfathers, and as Ally becomes more confident, she finds that she admires Suki for her bravery in coming to a new country and learning a new language.
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Suki Character Timeline in Fish in a Tree

The timeline below shows where the character Suki appears in Fish in a Tree. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 2: Yellow Card
Teaching, Mentoring, and Trust Theme Icon
Bullying, Friendship, and Social Status Theme Icon
...few minutes. Max roots for a fight, Mrs. Hall tries to calm the room, and Suki takes out one of her wooden blocks that she only plays with when she gets... (full context)
Chapter 9: Bag Full of Nothing
Teaching, Mentoring, and Trust Theme Icon
Bullying, Friendship, and Social Status Theme Icon
...Smiling, Keisha cuts her cupcake in half to reveal the word "yum" on the inside. Suki, who seldom speaks, asks how Keisha did it, and Keisha explains that she stands dough... (full context)
Teaching, Mentoring, and Trust Theme Icon
Bullying, Friendship, and Social Status Theme Icon
Suki goes next and passes out a paper bag to each of her classmates. They contain... (full context)
Chapter 10: Promises, Promises...
Dyslexia, Intelligence, and Learning Theme Icon
Teaching, Mentoring, and Trust Theme Icon
...clarifying questions and Ally receives a yellow notebook. They all begin to write. Ally notices Suki holding one of her blocks and wonders if she's thinking about her grandfather. Ally sees... (full context)
Chapter 14: Boxed In and Boxed Out
Identity and Self-Esteem Theme Icon
...box. Everyone looks excited. Ally is put in a group with Jessica, Max, Oliver, and Suki. Ally considers asking to go to the nurse when she sees all of Jessica's friendship... (full context)
Chapter 21: Butterfly Wishes
Identity and Self-Esteem Theme Icon
Bullying, Friendship, and Social Status Theme Icon
...up the hurt butterfly as Ally watches a mind movie of butterflies falling like rain. Suki comforts Ally by saying she knows Ally didn't hurt the butterfly on purpose, but Ally... (full context)
Chapter 24: Imaginary Hero
Identity and Self-Esteem Theme Icon
Bullying, Friendship, and Social Status Theme Icon
...the premise illogical, while Oliver spouts off the names of every superhero. He even asks Suki for her opinion, but keeps talking and never lets her answer. Shay whispers meanly that... (full context)
Chapter 37: A Chicken, a Wolf, and a Problem
Dyslexia, Intelligence, and Learning Theme Icon
Teaching, Mentoring, and Trust Theme Icon
Identity and Self-Esteem Theme Icon
Bullying, Friendship, and Social Status Theme Icon
...the chicken. Oliver thinks he knows, but he can't keep the chicken from getting eaten. Suki struggles, as does Albert, and then Mr. Daniels lets the class work on it on... (full context)
Chapter 42: The Gifts of No Excuses, Scotch Tape, and Antibiotics
Teaching, Mentoring, and Trust Theme Icon
Identity and Self-Esteem Theme Icon
Mr. Daniels tells Oliver he's one of a kind. Suki raises her hand and says that according to her grandfather, everyone is unique and that... (full context)
Chapter 48: Oliver's Idea of Lucky
Bullying, Friendship, and Social Status Theme Icon
Ally finds a wooden A on her desk. Suki explains that she carved it for Ally from one of her blocks because Ally is... (full context)