Twin Rivalry Begins

Kris and Lindy Powell, twelve-year-old twins, are constantly competing, even over trivial things like bubble gum. Their mother wishes they would get along better, but the twins' rivalry is a constant source of tension. One day, while exploring a construction site next door, Lindy discovers a ventriloquist's dummy in a dumpster. She names it Slappy and decides to keep it, much to Kris's annoyance. The discovery of Slappy sets off a series of events that will test the sisters' relationship and courage.

Discovery of Slappy

Lindy is thrilled with her new find, Slappy, and quickly becomes attached to the dummy, practicing ventriloquism and even earning a gig at a birthday party. Kris, feeling left out and envious, wants a dummy of her own. Their father buys her a similar dummy, which she names Mr. Wood. However, strange things begin to happen, and Kris starts to suspect that Mr. Wood is more than just a puppet. The twins' rivalry intensifies as they both try to outdo each other with their dummies.

The Dummy's Mischief

Kris's dummy, Mr. Wood, begins to act on its own, causing chaos and destruction. It insults guests, makes a mess in the kitchen, and even attacks the family dog. Kris is terrified and tries to convince her family that Mr. Wood is alive, but no one believes her. The situation escalates when Mr. Wood disrupts a school concert, spewing a foul-smelling green liquid over the audience. Kris is blamed for the incident, and her parents decide to get rid of the dummy.

Kris's Growing Fear

Kris is increasingly frightened by Mr. Wood's actions and the power he seems to wield. Despite her attempts to control him, the dummy continues to wreak havoc. Kris and Lindy realize they must work together to stop Mr. Wood. They try to destroy him, but he proves to be resilient. The sisters are forced to confront their fears and their rivalry as they search for a way to end Mr. Wood's reign of terror.

The Concert Disaster

During the school concert, Mr. Wood humiliates Kris by insulting the audience and spewing a disgusting green liquid. The incident leaves Kris humiliated and her reputation in ruins. Her parents are furious and decide to return Mr. Wood to the pawn shop. Kris is desperate to prove that she is not responsible for the dummy's actions and seeks a way to stop him once and for all.

The Dummy's Revenge

Mr. Wood reveals his true nature, threatening to harm Kris and Lindy's loved ones if they do not obey him. The sisters realize they must act quickly to stop him. They attempt to bury Mr. Wood, but he escapes and returns to the house. The situation becomes dire as Mr. Wood's threats become more serious, and the sisters must find a way to defeat him before it's too late.

A Desperate Plan

Kris and Lindy devise a plan to destroy Mr. Wood by luring him into the path of a steamroller. Despite the dummy's threats and resistance, the sisters manage to trap him under the machine, crushing him and releasing a foul-smelling green gas. The plan is successful, and the sisters are relieved to be free of Mr. Wood's terror. However, their relief is short-lived as they discover that Slappy, Lindy's dummy, is also alive.

The Final Confrontation

Just when the sisters think they are safe, Slappy reveals that he is also alive and ready to take over where Mr. Wood left off. The story ends with the chilling realization that the nightmare is far from over, leaving Kris and Lindy to face a new challenge. The twins must once again confront their fears and work together to stop Slappy before he can unleash his own brand of chaos.

Characters

Kris Powell

Kris is constantly in competition with her twin sister, Lindy. She feels overshadowed by Lindy's success with Slappy and is desperate to prove herself. Kris's insecurities are exacerbated by the chaos caused by Mr. Wood, leading her to question her own sanity. Throughout the story, Kris learns to confront her fears and work with Lindy to overcome the challenges they face.

Lindy Powell

Lindy is the more confident and ambitious of the twins. She quickly becomes attached to Slappy and enjoys the attention and success that come with her ventriloquism act. However, Lindy's confidence is shaken when she realizes the true nature of the dummies. She must learn to put aside her rivalry with Kris and work together to stop the threat posed by Mr. Wood and Slappy.

Mr. Wood

Mr. Wood is a ventriloquist's dummy with a sinister personality. He is manipulative and enjoys causing chaos and fear. Mr. Wood's actions escalate from harmless pranks to serious threats, forcing Kris and Lindy to confront him. His ultimate goal is to control the sisters and make them his slaves, but his plans are thwarted by their determination to stop him.

Slappy

Slappy is Lindy's dummy, initially appearing to be harmless. However, he is revealed to be just as sinister as Mr. Wood. Slappy is cunning and has his own plans for the sisters, posing a new threat after Mr. Wood is defeated. His awakening at the end of the story sets the stage for further challenges for Kris and Lindy.

Mrs. Powell

Mrs. Powell is the twins' mother, who is often exasperated by their constant bickering. She is skeptical of Kris's claims about Mr. Wood and believes the twins are simply competing with each other. Mrs. Powell's disbelief adds to Kris's frustration and isolation as she tries to deal with the dummy's actions.

Mr. Powell

Mr. Powell is the twins' father, who is practical and dismissive of Kris's concerns about Mr. Wood. He is focused on maintaining order in the household and is quick to punish the twins for their perceived misbehavior. His lack of belief in Kris's story contributes to the tension and fear she experiences.

Barky

Barky is the Powell family's small black terrier. He is loyal and often provides comfort to Kris. However, he becomes a target of Mr. Wood's threats, highlighting the dummy's malevolence. Barky's vulnerability adds to the urgency of the sisters' mission to stop Mr. Wood.

Plot Devices

Ventriloquist Dummies

The ventriloquist dummies, Slappy and Mr. Wood, serve as symbols of the twins' rivalry and the fear that arises from their actions. The dummies' sinister personalities and ability to act independently create tension and drive the plot. They represent the darker aspects of the twins' relationship and the need for them to work together to overcome their challenges.

Supernatural Elements

The supernatural elements in the story, such as the dummies' ability to move and speak on their own, create an atmosphere of suspense and fear. These elements are unexplained, adding to the mystery and tension. The supernatural forces challenge the twins' understanding of reality and force them to confront their fears.

Sibling Rivalry

The rivalry between Kris and Lindy is a central plot device that drives the conflict in the story. Their competition over the dummies leads to misunderstandings and escalates the chaos caused by Mr. Wood. The rivalry forces the twins to confront their differences and ultimately work together to overcome the challenges they face.

Analysis

"Night of the Living Dummy" explores themes of fear, rivalry, and the importance of cooperation. The story highlights how fear can distort reality and lead to misunderstandings, as seen in Kris's struggle to convince her family of Mr. Wood's actions. The rivalry between Kris and Lindy serves as a metaphor for the challenges of sibling relationships and the need for cooperation to overcome adversity. The story also examines the idea of control and power, as the dummies seek to dominate the twins. Ultimately, the book conveys the message that working together and confronting fears can lead to triumph over seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Last updated: January 17, 2025