Jesse Oliver Aarons Jr., “Jess,” is a gangly fifth grader with “straw colored hair” (2). The middle child and only boy in his family, Jess is overlooked and endures most of his parents’ anxiety. Family members regularly criticize him for being slow to do chores or making his sister cry. Jess longs for affirmation from his father and wants to prove his masculinity to please him.

Jess’s father, teachers, and classmates look down on his love of artwork. Seeking another source of pride, he takes up running, wanting to impress his classmates and family. While he first resents Leslie for thwarting his dreams of winning races, it is her friendship that builds his confidence.

Jess struggles with fear and anxiety, and he sometimes takes out his feelings on his little sister May Belle. His friendship with Leslie helps Jess open up to the world and overcome his fear. Through processing Leslie’s death, Jess comes to terms with his fear. Instead of his old resolve to “grab that old terror by the shoulders and shake the daylights out of it” (122), he learns how to acknowledge his fear and courageously help his little sister. By building a bridge so his sisters can enjoy

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