Content Warning: This section of the guide contains a description of death. 

Anderson begins the story with the three narrators approaching a classmate, Rebecca, and telling her that they have diagnosed her with cooties. The ensuing conflict involves discussions of mythical illnesses, attempted contamination, and a chase scene only ending through the intervention of a teacher. Thus, the author captures boys’ fledgling early, pre-teen awareness of girls, seen through the filters of mystery and taboo. Given the boys’ age, the book frequently connects to themes related to growing up; it constitutes a coming-of-age story about the shift from childhood ignorance to a more grown-up understanding of some of the harsh realities of the world.

Still intact, however, among the boys who are the main characters is the notion of the best-friend-forever. These are commitments the boys pledge as life-long vows of fidelity: Topher makes Steve promise to prevent him from ever getting married. Most of the jealousy described in the narrative is the fear that another guy will interfere with a friendship between two of the boys that has been solid for years. In the face of these carryovers from pre-pubescence, there are as well awakening attractions to members of another gender.