Point of View

The novel is narrated by the protagonist, Zoey, in first-person present. The present tense is instrumental in creating an immediate and thrilling pace to the novel, which follows Zoey through the rather humdrum events of her life. However, the depth of her poverty and her deep desire to change her life, prevent bullies from emotionally devastating her, and help her family escape a homelife of emotional abuse—creates a large amount of tension. Middle-grade readers will be left on the edge of their seats as they watch nervously as Zoey attempts to speak up in debate class without forgetting what she wants to say, or pack her belongings before Lenny returns to the trailer and prevents her and her family from leaving. The present-tense narrative intensifies these moments of tension and creates the feeling that anything could happen to Zoey.

Because everything is filtered through...