The first time Quan and Justyce meet is in the playground rocket ship. Why is this location important? How does it show commonality between the boys?

How does Quan try to exert control over his life as a child? As a teenager? Why are these attempts successful or unsuccessful?

In Dear Martin, Justyce writes that because he got good grades and stayed out of trouble, he thought he would never have to deal with the police like “THOSE black guys.” In Dear Justyce, Quan is offended when he reads this entry in Justyce’s notebook. Why would Quan find this idea offensive?