Mia's social conscience resonates throughout this novel. Readers quickly realize that Mia is a dutiful daughter who respects and takes care of her overwhelmed and often forgetful mother. Mia values family, whether it exists as the comfortable trio of her, her mother, and Fat Louie in the loft, or extends to her absent father and stern Grandmere.

Striving to become a better person, Mia rebukes herself for lying. She tries to be nice and kind. Mia attempts to behave in a manner that causes no harm to others and tries to fix potentially detrimental situations.

She is a humane person who values animal life. Mia devotedly attends to Fat Louie's needs. Empathetic towards all animals, Mia is committed to vegetarianism and strictly monitors what she eats to avoid consuming animal flesh. She insists that her mother and friends respect her choice to abstain from meat.

Mia...