A humble boy from the small town of Sawyer Tennessee who finds his sense of self throughout the book.
Who is Cash Pruitt
"Its me should be named Cash. Looks like the only cash you gots your name".
Who is Cloud
Cash grows up in this small town.
What is Sawyer Tennessee
Cash learns to use poetry to express this after everything he is going through.
What is Grief
Delaney and Cash receive a scholarship to Middleton by discovering this.
A brilliant girl who gets a life changing opportunity to attend an elite boarding school after making a scientific discovery with her best friend.
Who is Delaney Doyle
"Because its heretical. That's how science advancements and takes humanity with it. People have to be brave enough to look stupid in a field where looking stupid is the worst thing you can do." 51
Who is Delaney Doyle
The elite boarding school Cash and Delaney attend after making a scientific discovery.
What is Middleton Academy
Cash always worries about not being good enough with this theme.
What is Self-Worth
Cash struggles to decide whether to attend Middleton because his Pawpaw is battling this disease.
What is COPD.
A wise, loving man battling his declining health that teaches Cash that sometimes when you love someone you have to let them go.
Who is Pawpaw
"I think the real problem is you feel so lucky to have survived what you did, you think you bagged your limit of luck by finishing out your childhood in a safe and loving home." 72
Who is Aunt Betsy
The place where Cash and Delaney discover the thing that gave them the opportunity to attend the boarding school.
What is The Cave
This is what Cash and Delaney have throughout the book.
Unconditional Love
Cash discovers a love of this after using it to cope.
What is Poetry
Cashs roommate at the boarding school, who helps him realize he doesn't need to be perfect at school and that he needs to stop comparing himself to his peers.
Who is Tripp
"You don't have to forgive me, but I'm not gonna let our friendship end without telling you I'm sorry and how important you are to me."
Who is Cash Pruitt
The place that gave Cash a stable home during his childhood after losing his mother.
What is his Grandparents House
The cycle that is broken after Cash and Delaney receive the scholarship to Middleton Academy.
What is Poverty
Cash is guilty for leaving after this happens.
What is Pawpaw passed away
Delaney's science mentor at the boarding school, who advocated for her, encouraged her to break the cycle of poverty, and pushed her to be the best she can be.
Who is Dr. Adkins
"The other night I came home and wanted to tell him something so badly. Someone who came in reminded me of someone he and I knew, and he's the only one who would understand. But he's gone and I couldn't." 354
Who is Mawmaw
The place that represented the freedom and escape from real life problems Cash and Delany were seeking.
What is the River
What Cash struggles with in the begining of the book when deciding whether to stay in Sawyer, or to go to Middleton.
Loyalty
This happens after Cash and Delaneys relationship deepens even further after their experience at Middleton.
What is Cash and Delany start dating