Chapters 7-12 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 7: Norms

Chapter 7 introduces the other main character, Erica. Erica was a lot different from Harold. When she was ten years old, she nearly got arrested. Erica and her mother, Amy, had moved into an apartment that belonged to one of Amy's friends. When it came time for Erica to go to school, she had her heart set on New Hope School. The problem was that because Amy and Erica lived with a friend, they were not legal residents of the neighborhood. Without legal residency, Erica was not eligible to go to the school. The social caseworker was rude and unmoving. Amy was silent. Erica threw a tantrum until the caseworker threatened to call the police.

Part of the problem was that Amy was manic depressive. She was also the most "downwardly mobile" person in her family. Her family...