Characters
What is the name of the main character and narrator of the story?
Paul Fisher
What sport is Erik famous for playing?
football
What fruit is grown in the groves?
Tangerines
What event occurs that helps Paul begin to stand up for himself?
After the passing of Luis Paul decides he can not be scared of Erik and he needs to gain courage.
How does Paul and Erik's dad treat Erik compared to how he treats Paul?
Paul's Dad favors Erik. He believes in the Erik Fisher football dream and will do anything to help him succeed. Paul's Dad never goes to his games and doesn't really pay much attention to him.
What is the name of Paul’s older brother?
Erik Fisher
What position does Paul play in soccer?
Goalkeeper
What is the name of the housing development where Paul’s family lives?
Lake Windsor Downs
How does Tino feel about Paul at the end of the book?
He respects him and tells him he can come back to the groves anytime he wants.
What is Paul's dad's job?
He is the Director of the Department of Civil Engineering for Tangerine County.
Who is the soccer coach at Tangerine Middle School?
Betty Bright
What is the name of the school Paul transfers to after leaving Lake Windsor?
Tangerine Middle School
Why did Paul and his mother call the fire department when they first moved to Tangerine County?
They smelt the muck fires and thought there was something wrong with their house
What flashback does Paul have at the beginning of the story?
He thinks that Erik chased him in a truck with a baseball bat
Why do Paul’s parents move to Tangerine County?
For his dads job promotion
Who is Paul’s friend that helps him join the Tangerine soccer team?
Theresa Cruz
Why is Paul not allowed to play soccer at Lake Windsor Middle School?
Paul has a IEP/visual impairment paperwork and the school says there insurance will not let him play
What unusual event happens at Lake Windsor Middle School involving the ground?
A sinkhole occurs
What major secret about Paul’s eyesight is revealed near the end of the book?
Erik caused his vision damage by spraying white spray paint in his eyes. He did not damage his eyes from the eclipse like his family told him.
How does Paul feel about his parents paying more attention to Erik’s football success than to his own struggles?
Paul feels overlooked because his parents focus more on Erik’s achievements than on supporting him. Oftentimes he doesn't share what's going on in his life because he feels like no one cares.
What happens to Arthur Bauer at the end of the book?
Arthur is arrested at the end of the book for being arrested in connection with the murder of Luis Cruz
What did the Lake Windsor Downs soccer coach do during the game against Tangerine Middle School?
He claimed Paul could not play because his IEP prevented him from playing for Lake Windsor Downs, and therefore he could not play for Tangerine Middle School either.
What does the sinkhole reveal about the community’s development?
They made Old Charlie Burns take lots of vacations so that the construction companies could ignore safety and environmental concerns to build homes and schools quickly even if it meant putting them on unsafe grounds.
At the end of the book, what advice does Paul take from Antoine?
Paul decided to tell the police the truth about what he saw while he was under the bleachers. He finally decided not to spend his life hiding anymore.
How does Paul’s relationship with Erik change by the end of the book?
Paul stands up to him and refuses to keep lying. He decides that he is not scared of him anymore and he needs to be brave and stop, "hiding under the bleachers"