Chapter 12, Out and About Summary and Analysis

Riverview was a small amusement park with a rickety, old roller coaster that shook the ground when it passed. None of the rides had timers so sometimes riders got caught on an endless ride when the attendant wanted to take a break or found something better to do. Everything at the park was horrible.

The Iowa State Fair, however, provided entertainment that everyone could enjoy. It always took place during the hottest, muggiest days possible, which left kids bathed in sweat and sticky, sugary fair food. Most people came to ride the rides at the fair, but boys dreamed of the strippers' tent. When Bill was twelve, one had to be thirteen to get in. The next year, Bill learned that they had upped the age requirement to fourteen.

During most of the year, kids...