Small Steps

“She said his life would be like walking upstream in a rushing river. The secret was to take small steps and just keep moving forward. If he tried to take too big a step, the current would knock him off his feet and carry him back downstream.”

After Armpit’s release from Camp Green Lake, his counselor at the halfway house uses the metaphor of the rushing river as she warned Armpit that his life would be hard, but not to give up. Armpit takes her advice to take “small steps” and creates a set of achievable goals, establishing the novel’s theme of Moving on From the Past by Taking Small Steps. Later in the story, when Armpit gets knocked back, he thinks about her again, realizing he took “too big a step.”

“I’m gonna take you someplace you never been before, and you’ll never be the same again!”

This quote is the chorus to one of Kaira’s most popular songs. Armpit hears it before he meets Kaira, and it foreshadows both the good and the bad events that happen as their story unfolds. This song also becomes one of Armpit and Ginny’s favorites, and for them, these lyrics sum up the life-changing experience of the concert.

“But that’s your name, dog. You should never be ashamed of who you are.”

X-Ray tells Armpit that he should not be ashamed of his nickname. X-Ray arrives where Armpit is at work for the landscaping company—where he is known as Theodore—and repeatedly calls out “Armpit.” Armpit asks X-Ray not to use his nickname in public, and X-Ray answers with the above statement. This quote highlights X-Ray’s proud and jovially disruptive nature. One of Armpit’s goals is to lose the nickname “Armpit” since he is ready to move forward with his life. In comparison, X-Ray is happy to stick with risky schemes and proudly has his nickname on his license plate.

“If there was a taunt in the question she never noticed. ‘I had bleeding inside my brain wh-when I was born.’”

When other kids bully Ginny and ask, “What’s wrong with you?” (20) she takes the question at face value and answers with this explanation. Her composure and factual response shut down further questioning. The bullies can see that Ginny is not going to give them the pleasure of crumbling, so they move on. If people are genuinely asking, Ginny knows that education is key to understanding her condition—so her precise response fits in all situations.

“Ginny and Armpit hit it off from the beginning. She didn’t fear him, and he didn’t pity her.”

Ginny and Armpit’s friendship is central to the story arc of the book. Ginny, who is small, white, and lives with a disability, does not fear Armpit despite others’ assumptions about him based on his race, size, and history. Armpit does not pity Ginny despite society’s patronizing view of people with disabilities. Without judgment or condescension, their friendship brings them both joy and support.

“But as much as Armpit helped her, she helped him even more. She gave his life meaning. For the first time in his life, there was someone who looked up to him, who cared about him.”

This quote focuses on what Ginny’s friendship brings to Armpit. Armpit clearly helps Ginny; he physically supports her when they go for their daily walks and with his help, she manages to walk without leg braces. Less obvious is the powerful support that Ginny gives to Armpit. As this quote describes, Ginny believes in Armpit, and gives him respect, love, and a purpose—invisible “help” that Armpit craves.

“‘So is there something wro-’. He caught himself. ‘Does Coo have a disability?’ he asked.”

This quote highlights how easily a negative connotation can slip into a conversation about disability. Armpit, who is kind and sensitive, nearly says “wrong” when asking whether Coo has a disability, even though he knows there is nothing “wrong” with having a disability. This quote is important because it reminds Armpit that words have power and highlights the importance of thinking before he speaks.

“Well, even though Ginny is only ten years old and has cerebral palsy and weighs less than sixty pounds, she’s the strongest and bravest person I know. So if Coo could do that for Ginny, imagine what Coo could do for the world.”

In this quote, Armpit is presenting his nomination for Coo to his speech class, explaining why Coo should be the “ruler of the world” (64). Armpit’s speech is important because it underscores the respect he has for Ginny and shows that he is willing to face ridicule to educate others about cerebral palsy and the difficulties people with disabilities face. His class responds well to his speech, and even though Coo does not win, his speech might make some classmates think twice before judging people with disabilities.

“They may have been wild rock ’n’ rollers at one time in their lives, but to Kaira they just seemed like a bunch of old men.”

Kaira travels and plays with her band but doesn’t really know them. Jerome has made sure that she has been isolated. However, this passage shows that Kaira has also judged her band members as a “bunch of old men,” not giving them the credit as musicians or potential friends. Once Kaira does spend time with them, she realizes that they are kind and supportive, and want to play “real,” heartfelt music just as much as she does. In Kaira’s defense, the band judged Kaira to be a “spoiled prima donna” (68) before getting to know her—showing that they all made negative assumptions.

“Armpit’s parents seemed more worried about Ginny’s safety than her own mother, but Armpit had a lot to do with that since his natural response was to argue with anything they said.”

This passage summarizes Armpit’s relationship with his parents since returning home from Camp Green Lake. His parents, scared by their older son’s presumed drug and/or alcohol use and Armpit’s own history of aggression, are skeptical of Armpit’s ability to stay out of trouble. They worry that Armpit is not responsible enough to keep Ginny safe at the concert—a reflection of the fact that they do not spend “quality time” with Armpit, who in turn does not give them any opportunity to develop a relationship with him. Armpit spends more time at Ginny’s house and has opened up to Ginny’s mother, letting her see his kind and caring nature. Armpit’s fraught relationship with his parents is as much his fault as theirs. Armpit is aware of this, but since he is a teenager, he continues to exclude and argue with them.

“‘I’m so sorry!’ Kaira said. Because Ginny was a white girl, and Armpit was older and an African American, she had just assumed he worked for her family. Talk about racism! Armpit had no idea what she was sorry for.”

The importance of this quote is multifold. Kiara makes unconscious assumptions about Ginny and Armpit’s relationship based on race: the assumption being that Ginny is from a wealthy white family who is paying a poorer Black teenager to care for their child. Kaira catches herself and acknowledges her bias—an example of self-reflection and growth. The other important point is Armpit’s lack of understanding when Kaira apologizes. This is likely because he is so close with Ginny that the thought of being perceived as her caregiver does not cross his mind—to Armpit, she is “Ginny,” not “a white girl with a disability.”

“Although it wasn’t really Camp Green Lake that released him from his anger. It was coming home and meeting Ginny.”

Armpit and Ginny are listening to Kaira sing “Angry Young Man” at her concert. As they listen, Armpit recognizes his younger self in the lyrics and thinks about how much he has changed since Camp Green Lake. This quote addresses the fact that behavior cannot be changed by abusing kids and making them suffer though months of hard, punishing labor (detailed in Sachar’s first book, Holes); but behavior can be changed by showing someone that they are valued and respected. Unlike Camp Green Lake (which made Armpit physically strong), Ginny gives meaning to Armpit’s life and a focus for his future.

“Armpit didn’t tell any of that to his own parents. He felt like he was under attack the second he walked in the door, and so didn’t tell them anything except his name, rank, and serial number.”

Armpit explains how he feels being back at home in this passage. Armpit’s reaction to his parent’s persistent suspicion is to shut down, causing more distance and distrust between them. His parents try to understand and ask Armpit how things are going, but Armpit—always anticipating a lecture or test—never shares or opens up, continuing the cycle of alienation.

“Skin color was usually a reliable indicator as to which half of the house a visitor was heading for, but this woman was the exception to the rule.”

Detective Debbie Newberg has pulled up outside Armpit and Ginny’s duplex. Since Debbie is a white woman, the assumption is that she is here to see Ginny’s mother—another white woman. This quote underscores the assumptions that people make based on race, as well as highlighting the racial divide that exists in their neighborhood.

“In economics he gave Matt Kapok the dollar back. Matt seemed surprised. ‘Uh, thanks, Arm—’ His white face turned even whiter. ‘I mean, I mean, I mean, Theodore. Thanks, Theodore.’”

Matt’s reaction to Armpit returning the $1 that Matt lent shows the negative judgment that Armpit faces daily and the intimidation that Matt feels because of his negative expectations. Matt assumes that Armpit has taken the $1 from him, not borrowed it. In his surprise at getting the $1 back he almost calls Armpit by his nickname and again is fearful of a violent reaction. Armpit’s reaction, to thank Matt again, is enough to dispel Matt’s negative bias, and they end up being friends, “greeting each other” every day at school.

“For the first time in a long while, his mother looked at him and saw someone who maybe wasn’t all bad.”

The mayor has called Armpit’s house to check that Armpit is OK after the situation at the concert. Armpit’s mother answers the phone, and although Armpit did not share the events that unfolded at the concert, his mother is still impressed that the mayor is calling him. Armpit’s mother is starting to see that Armpit is serious about turning his life around, but years of mistrust and worry are hard to unwind. However, this quote shows there is hope for them to build a relationship in the future.

“Okay, I’m going to have to write something really embarrassing now. Then I can be sure I’ll never mail it. Okay, here goes. I liked it when I touched your armpit. It made me feel all gooey inside.”

This is an excerpt from the letter Kaira writes to Armpit but claims she doesn’t intend to send. In reality, she does want Armpit to read the letter, and she wants him to know that she finds him attractive. By half-convincing herself that she is not going to send the letter, Kaira is able to write how she really feels, both about Armpit and about how lonely she is.

“See, genius isn’t all about intelligence […] There are a lot of smart people in the world. Smarter than me. It’s about recognizing your opportunities. It’s about letting your opportunities come to you. Sometimes all you have to do is open the door and opportunity walks right in. It takes a genius to know when to open the door.”

In this passage, Jerome, who is bragging to Aileen about his plan to frame Armpit, shows his true nature. His insecurity is shown by his insistence of his own brilliance. He overcompensates for not being the smartest with his belief that he is a savvy “genius”—better than being “smart.” Aileen listens to Jerome’s speech and feeds his ego while secretly despising his pathetic character.

“He’s climbing out of the frying pan...and into the fire!”

Kaira’s song, “Frying Pan” ends with these lyrics. This song is playing on the radio in the limousine taking Armpit to the airport for his flight to San Francisco. These lyrics are important because they foreshadow the terrible events about to unfold. Armpit is already in the frying pan: Felix is demanding Kaira’s letter and there is the potential for Armpit and X-Ray to end up back in jail, but this is nothing compared to the violence waiting for him in San Francisco.

“I’d like to sing on a small stage like that. No flashing lights. No backup singers. No bloodsucking agents or business managers. Just get up there and sing, and then pass around a hat. People pay what they want.”

Kaira is expressing her dream to Armpit as they sit beside an empty stage drinking coffee in a basement coffeehouse. This passage is important because it shows that Kaira is unhappy despite being a famous pop star; she would prefer to be authentic—performing her own work in small venues. This quote is also important because it shows Kaira being vulnerable with Armpit when minutes later he dashes her hopes of a meaningful relationship by telling her about Felix and the letter. Armpit throws her dream (detailed in this quote) back in her face—mocking her naïve perception of money and telling her that she doesn’t have a clue.

“He had tried to take too big a step, and the current had knocked him off his feet and was washing him away.”

This quote, taken from the moment Armpit realizes his plan to get Kaira to write another letter was “lame” and his future looks bleak, refers to the advice that Armpit’s counselor gave him at the halfway house. With admirable self-reflection, Armpit recognizes that he has been sucked back into risky behaviors rather than sticking with his promise to take small steps toward achieving his goals.

“‘Look, if you don’t want to see me, I understand. I just came to return the letter. I’m not going to sell it. I don’t want anything from you.’”

Armpit’s kind, honest, and self-sacrificing nature is highlighted in this passage. Despite his angry exchange with Kaira and prospect of jailtime if he returns to Austin without her letter, Armpit is not willing to ruin her life over his. He has gone to her hotel room to return the letter and calls out to Kaira (who is being attacked by Jerome), explaining why he is there. His honesty and integrity, which push him to go to her room, are what save Kaira’s life.

“Armpit looked around at Ginny’s stuffed animals. Like Hooter, the owl who couldn’t see, or Daisy, the dog who couldn’t hear, Kaira might be a singer who couldn’t sing.”

Armpit looks at Ginny’s stuffed animals as he thinks about Kaira and her damaged vocal cords. In this scene, Armpit realizes that Kaira might be losing her identity—like Hooter and Daisy lost theirs. Ginny’s animals have overcome their losses by enhancing other senses, and as the story winds up it becomes clear that Kaira will also overcome her loss, but that she has a long road ahead of her.