“Shells” by Cynthia Rylant is a realistic fiction short story about a boy named Michael whose parents died. He is forced to live with his Aunt Esther. They find a hermit crab that soon brings them closer. In the beginning, Michael's parents die and he goes to live with his aunt who doesn't get along with Michael very well. Soon, Michael buys a hermit crab and names it Sluggo. sluggo helps Michael relieve his stress over his parents’ deaths. The crab brings Esther and Michael closer. Finally, Esther and Michael go to the pet store and get twenty more hermit crabs. Sluggo comes out of his shell and finds a new one. Sluggo brings Michael and Esther together.
In the beginning Michael hates Esther but doesn’t want to admit it. Esther and Michael get into an argument about how Michael hates it at Esther’s house. In paragraphs 3-11 Michael tries to tell her that he doesn't hate her. “I don’t” Michael yelled “ It’s not you.” He is telling Esther that he doesn't hate her. This proves that Michael is having a hard time dealing with his parents deaths. …show more content…
Esther is so into Sluggo that she thinks he needs someone to be in his bowl. She thinks that he needs a companion to make Sluggo happy and not bored all the time. That's also what Michael needs, he needs someone that won’t argue with him 24-7 and will actually talk to him and make him happy. In paragraphs 56-64 they form more of a bond. Aunt Esther hugged Michael because she said what would your mother think of all of these crabs. Michael started crying painful tears. “I’m sorry Michael,” she said. Michael could smell the perfume that Esther had on and it smelled like the one his mother used to wear. “No, Aunt Esther,” He shook his head solemnly. “ I don’t hate you.” This proves that Michael and Esther are forming a bond that won’t be them arguing, but a bond where they get along. He always wanted to not hate Esther, and now he doesn’t have