Who is Asa? How does he react to the impending divorce of his parents? How does he respond to his new stepfather? How does his stepfather react to him? Why is this a difficult relationship? Why does Asa tell lies? Why does he react as he does on the roller coaster? How does Dave react to this behavior?

Who is Joel? Why does Asa find himself forced to do a poem with Joel? Why does Asa want to do a harder poem? Why does Joel have so much trouble learning the new poem? Why does Joel begin missing practice sessions? How does Asa react to this? Why does Asa cry when he sees Joel playing with his siblings?

Why does Joel show up at the performance? What did Joel's mother promise to do with Joel the day of the performance? Why did she fail...