Big Butt

Big Butt most likely derives his nickname from his eating habits. Before the group leaves for the toy store, he is "already wasting his peanut-butter-andjelly sandwich like the pig he is." His response to the toys also reflects this rapaciousness. He wants things without knowing what they are.

Fat Butt

See Big Butt

Flyboy

Flyboy demonstrates the crafty sophistication of a ghetto child. He knows how to extract pity and financial assistance from whites. In his clear-eyed understanding of how to play the monetary game, he appears older than he really is.

Junebug

Junebug is relatively quiet at the store. He sees the expensive sailboat, which launches the children on the success and failure of the fifty-cent sailboats they sail in the parks.

Mercedes

Mercedes is unlike the other children because she wants to be like the rich, white Americans. She has her own desk at home...