“Dangerous pie” is what Jeffrey calls his mixture of “coffee grounds, raw eggs and their smashed shells, Coke, uncooked bacon, and three Matchbox racing cars” (7), which he stirs with his older brother’s “Special Sticks.” Although “dangerous pie” is only discussed in the first chapter, it becomes a symbol of Steven’s evolving relationship with his brother. At the beginning of his eighth-grade year, Steven sees “the Dangerous Pie incident” as an example of how annoying Jeffrey can be, since his brother’s childish games end up damaging his prized possession. After Jeffrey becomes ill, however, Steven realizes that he would rather eat Jeffrey’s disgusting “dangerous pie” than watch his little brother suffer. As suggested by its inclusion in the title, “dangerous pie” ultimately encapsulates the major lesson that Steven learns in the novel: However annoying his little brother can be, caring for Jeffrey will always come first in his life, even before playing drums or impressing girls. 

Jeffrey uses his Rescue Heroes action figure Matt Medic to help him stay strong during his chemo treatments, after Steven tells him that Matt Medic will watch over him. Steven initially brings Matt Medic to Jeffrey after he has been hospitalized with an ear infection and is about to be transported to the hospital in Philadelphia.