Prologue - Chapter 9 Summary

In the Prologue, for a social studies project in his freshman year at Freddy High, Lucky Linderman poses a survey question to his classmates, about how they would commit suicide if they were going to do so. It causes a commotion. Some others joke about it, but the administration is not happy. The school recommends the case to Lucky's parents, and suggest medication, behavior study, and professional help. Lucky wonders where his professional help was when school bully Nader McMillan was tormenting him throughout his entire school career. Lucky therefore decides to initiate "Operation Don't Ever Smile."

In Chapter 1, Lucky's mother, Lori, is addicted to swimming 200 laps a day, so he spends his summer days at the Frederickstown, Pennsylvania Community Swimming Pool. Lucky's parents have a tempestuous relationship, and are always fighting. Lucky's father is a chef. Lucky's grandfather...