Other Words for Home

On the first morning of school, Sarah and Jude cannot walk together as planned due to rain. When Aunt Michelle drops them off instead, Sarah runs in ahead of Jude. Jude stands in the rain summoning the courage to enter the building alone. After a few seconds she goes in, recalling Issa’s directive to her to “Be brave” (102).

Jude gets her schedule from the office and inadvertently says she needs no help. She wanders looking for Pre-Algebra until she is late. She knows pre- means before and thinks about the Jude she was before: “Pre Jude knew the way to all her classes, / Pre Jude never showed up late” (104). She finds the room and tries to be inconspicuous as the teacher points to her seat.

Jude listens to the Pre-Algebra teacher, Mr. Anderson, but it takes her a minute to learn what he means by “homework,” and she does not understand what he means by “housekeeping.” She knows the answers to the practice problems but is too afraid to raise her hand, thinking she might have to explain them aloud. A boy in a shirt featuring a photo of a galaxy writes the answers on the board, and Mr.