I have to write an essay on the theme of the short story "All is clam" by Ann Walsh. The story is about a girl who has to take her grandmother, who has alzheimers, to the hosptial. She has difficulty dealing with her grandmother acting very "strange" on the bus. A boy comes to her rescue and escorts her grandmother off the bus when her grandmother refuses to come with her. I am having trouble figuring out what tthe theme of this story is. I was guessing something like, you arent the only one with some promblems.

I have been having trouble finding the theme for some time... But I hope that I'm close.

You're probably close.

I haven't read this story, but from your synopsis, the theme might be to help others, even if they seem strange.

Oh, I forgot to mention, the boy who helps them goes to her school and his father has alzheimers as well.

Thank you for the help, by the way.

You're welcome.

Analyzing the story "All is calm" by Ann Walsh based on your summary, it seems that the theme you proposed, "you aren't the only one with problems," may indeed be close to the actual theme of the story. However, to determine the theme more effectively, let's break down the process of finding a theme in a literary work:

1. Identify the main plot: In this case, the main plot revolves around the girl taking her grandmother, who has Alzheimer's, to the hospital and the challenges she faces during this journey.

2. Reflect on the character development: Consider how the characters change, grow, or learn throughout the story. Pay particular attention to the protagonist and their interactions with other characters, like the boy who helps with the grandmother.

3. Look for recurring motifs or symbols: Notice any patterns, symbols, or recurring ideas throughout the story that could give insight into the underlying theme. In this case, the grandmother's Alzheimer's and the girl's struggle to handle her behavior could be considered as motifs.

4. Consider the author's message: Think about the message or lesson the author may be trying to convey through the story. What thoughts or insights did the story evoke in you?

5. Summarize your findings: Based on the analysis of the main plot, character development, motifs, and the author's message, you can then formulate a concise statement about the story's theme.

Considering these steps, here is a suggested theme for "All is calm" by Ann Walsh:

"The strength of compassion and human connection: In the face of personal challenges, understanding, empathy, and the willingness to help others can provide solace and relieve emotional burdens."

Remember, determining the theme of a story can involve subjective interpretation. It's essential to support your theme with evidence from the text itself, such as specific events, character actions, or dialogue. Hence, it is always a good idea to back up your theme with examples and quotes from the story.

With this guidance, you can now proceed to write your essay, exploring how the theme unfolds in the story, and supporting your points with specific examples and analysis from "All is calm."