Summary

In Chapter 11, Ruthy attended Life Skills class, cotaught by Ms. Elena and Mr. Andrew. When the class divided into two groups, the girls wrote questions and placed them in a hat that was passed around. The Girl Talk unit was meant to raise “important philosophical issues of eighth-grade life” and encourage discussion (142). When it was Ruthy’s turn to pull a question, the paper read “Who do you have a secret crush on? (145). She put the paper back and passed on her turn.

In Chapter 12, Jessica conducted a private investigation after Ruthy’s disappearance, disbelieving that the police would investigate the case thoroughly. After she ruled out Yesenia’s boyfriend, Jessica narrowed her focus on Mr. Hernandez, the English teacher. She had never had an unsavory interaction with the teach, but “past experience had taught [her] that familiarity and kindness meant nothing...