“But soon it was clear that Gooney Bird was mysterious and interesting. Her clothes were unusual. Her hairstyles were unusual. Even her lunches were very unusual.”

From the very first scene, both the class and the reader see that Gooney Bird is unique. By employing repetition, the author emphasizes that “unusual” is a key trait in Gooney Bird. Her willingness to stand out, even when she is still a new student and in an unfamiliar place, demonstrates her strength of character.

“Can I tell the story? Can I be right smack in the middle of everything? Can I be the hero?”

Gooney Bird demonstrates confidence in herself in everything she does and says. She wants to be the main character in her own stories, and she encourages everyone else to do the same. Her character is in essence a celebration of the self and what it means to be unique. Her stories demonstrate How to Transform Real Life Into Something Creative.

“You may as well sit down, Mrs. Pidgeon. Take a load off your feet.”

Gooney Bird knows how to engage her audience while also setting herself up for the best chance at having all the attention on her. It is only her first day, yet she is already willing to tell the teacher to sit down, albeit politely, so that she can tell her story without interference. When Gooney Bird sets the stage for a full storytelling experience, she shows that she understands