Awkward

“Okay, so when you’ve just moved to a new town and are still a total outsider…this…is not the best way to start life at your new school. Hi! Penelope here. Peppi for short. It’s my first day at Berrybrook Middle School, and I just tripped over my own feet and dropped everything. Including my dignity.”

Peppi, the protagonist, introduces herself to the reader. This quote provides some initial characterization for her. She is nervous about being an “outsider” and wants a place where she can fit in. She is also easily embarrassed and equates dropping her things with dropping her “dignity.” These heightened emotions lead her to push Jaime away from her in the hallway.

“Cardinal rule #1 for surviving school: Don’t get noticed by the mean kids.”

The “mean kids” are minor side characters who antagonize Peppi and Jaime. They represent the bullying that often happens in middle school. Peppi makes it her priority not to get noticed by them, because their attention might lead to them making fun of her. The “mean kids” show up at key places throughout the novel. How Peppi reacts to the mean kids here at the beginning of the text versus at the end demonstrates her character growth.

“We haaaaaate the science club. They’re across the hall from us, always causing trouble…but they always get away with it because they win awards and make the school look good.”

This quote characterizes how the art club perceives The Relationship Between Art and Science, as these disciplines are reflected by their respective clubs. The art club members see themselves as in competition with the science club. The art club thinks that the science club gets unfair treatment because the school values the awards they get.