Point of View

The novel is written in first person from the perspective of Delsie McHill, a young girl who is being raised by her grandmother, Bridget. The perspective is entirely limited to what Delsie knows and experiences, meaning that some details remain secret from the reader until the appropriate moment. For example, Delsie does not know that Ronan's mother left him and the toll that has taken on Ronan until Ronan reveals that piece of information. Delsie also does not know anything about her mother, and information about her is revealed only when someone else gives Delsie those details. Henry tells Delsie some details about Mellie because it hurts Bridget to talk about it. Delsie never knows anything else, and neither does the reader.

Delsie is very young and is at an impressionable age. The people in her tight-knit circle of family and friends have an impact...