“As Jackson Greene sped past the Maplewood Middle School cafeteria—his trademark red tie skewed slightly to the left, a yellow No. 2 pencil balanced behind his ear, and a small spiral-bound notebook tucked in his right jacket pocket—he found himself dangerously close to sliding back into the warm confines of scheming and pranking.”

In the opening sentence, the author firmly establishes Jackson Greene’s character. He wears a necktie to middle school, a departure from the typical teenage uniform of jeans and a t-shirt. Jackson is methodical and calculated, as he keeps a notebook handy for jotting down lists, plans, and other important messages. The author also sets the pace of the novel with Jackson in a rush to get to school. The fast-paced tempo will continue as his crew must work quickly to avert Keith’s machinations.

“He refused to jeopardize four months of model behavior for a quick snack, no matter how hungry he was.”

The author grounds the story by having Jackson experience real sensations such as hunger. The omniscient narrator also reveals Jackson has a checkered past explaining the name of the chapter “A New Leaf.” Since Jackson is on his way to a secret meeting, the chances of his “turning over a new leaf,” a euphemism for starting fresh, are in jeopardy.

“Although she was six inches taller than Gaby and Fiona, she slouched just enough to mask the difference.”

Though her distinctive height is an advantage on the basketball court, when she is around her peers, Lynne hunches over to disguise her tall stature. Lynne’s slouching illustrates her desire to fit in with her peers and to be seen less intimidating or different because of her differences.