Tod is the eighth-grade protagonist of the novel who is writing his story in journal entries to confront the consequences of his actions. Although Tod is an anti-hero and unreliable narrator, he claims that he is being honest in his writing. At school, Tod is known for being a thief and a violent and fearful bully, and at first, he seems proud of his reputation. He gets into trouble with his friends, and he has something mean to say about everyone. He is angry at his teachers, peers, and the school environment, where he is constantly at odds with the armed security guards. At home, Tod lives in poverty with his mother and her husband, Dick. Tod’s mother is always busy trying to make ends meet with her job as a tailor, while Dick works in landscaping. They both force Tod to help with their work and put Tod’s wages toward household expenses. Tod refuses to speak about his father, although his entries suggest that his father left the family when Tod was younger. Tod’s home is cramped and cold. He is always hungry and looking for his next meal. Tod’s hunger is easy for others to ignore or ridicule because he is large.