Ordinary vs. Extraordinary
August notes that this family member feels that he needs to be protected.
Who is August's sister, Via?
Dad uses humor to lighten August's anxiety about meeting the principal by cracking jokes about this unusual surname.
What is Mr. Tushman?
Julian gives an insincere, overly simplified itemized list of everyday objects while touring this room.
What is the science lab?
August feels lied to when he discovers the test he took a year prior wasn’t an IQ test, but this instead.
What is an entrance exam for Beecher Prep?
August was homeschooled prior to fifth grade primarily because he underwent this many surgical operations.
What is 27 surgeries?
Upon walking through Beecher Prep, August notes that the building smells like this type of facility.
What is a hospital?
August clears up confusion during the tour by clarifying that this character's name isn't a single combined word.
Who is Jack Will?
Jack Will shows solidarity with August during Julian's rude interrogation by telling Julian to do this.
What is "shut up"?
When warning August's mother that he might not survive his birth night, the nurse offered comfort by quoting this phrase about overcoming the world.
What is "Everyone born of God overcometh the world"?
August can distinguish between Mrs. Garcia’s genuine expression and this fake type of smile.
What is her "shiny smile"?
While touring the auditorium, Charlotte talks non-stop about her desire to play this title character in the school play.
Who is Oliver?
August uses this code question to signal to his mother that he wants to leave the school tour early.
What is "Don't we have to pick Via up soon?"
August's father uses this vivid idiom to describe sending August to middle school for the first time.
What is "like a lamb to the slaughter"?
Hanging behind Mr. Tushman’s desk is a painting by a former student.
What is a pumpkin?
Julian reveals his rude attitude in the performance space by asking if August was in one of these accidents.
What is a fire?
Immediately upon returning home from Beecher Prep, August runs to his bedroom to hug this pet.
Who is Daisy, the dog?
August grew his hair long over the past year for this specific protective reason.
What is to cover his eyes and block out things he doesn't want to see?
August notices this subtle physical reaction from adults, like Mrs. Garcia, the moment they see his face.
What is a micro-reaction / dropping their eyes for a second?
August corrects Julian's grammar in the hallway when Julian mispronounces this word as "supposably",
What is "supposedly"?
After returning home from the tour, August experiences these two contrasting emotions at the exact same time.
What are sadness and happiness (the "laughing-crying feeling")?