The Schwa Was Here

Fourteen-year-old Antsy is a wiseass eighth grader with a good heart. Stuck in the middle between his smart older brother and his cute little sister, Antsy does not get the attention he needs from his parents. He does not do well in school and says, “There were only two A’s I ever saw on my papers: the A in Anthony, and the A in Bonano” (12). Antsy feels overlooked and average, as if he’s the family “disappointment” (12). He is not smooth with the ladies, and he self-deprecatingly jokes about his acne when Lexie feels his face. Lexie is right: Antsy has “good bone structure” and a solid character (86). Though he has his flaws, Antsy is smarter than he admits, shows budding business savvy, and has enough wit and pride in himself and his family to retort when confronted with Mr. Crawley’s jibes. Mr. Crawley calls Antsy “nervy” for standing up to him.

Becoming friends with the Schwa changes Antsy’s outlook on life, family, and friendship, and helps Antsy clarify his sense of self. The Schwa’s invisibility makes Antsy feel noticed. His friendship with the Schwa helps Antsy understand he has grown up and away from his old friends and shows Antsy how important truth and loyalty are in a friendship.