"In fact, the herder he tried, the more laughable he efforts turned out" (20). Kids are so mean. I honestly can say that I know this from experience because two weeks ago I went to North Carolina to babysit my 6 year old cousin and a few other children. During the time, I was reading part one of this book, and I was finding so many similarities in how they acted, to how Tommy was treated. I don't know if they feel as if it's their only form of communication or what, but the way they act can be worse than high school stuff. In any case, it bothers me that there has been no explanation for why Tommy is picked on more than others. Or in that perspective, why certain kids at Roncalli are picked on more than others. I guess that sometimes, there isn't a specific reason other than, "because." Tommy seems like he'll be an important character, also with the way that Kathy talks to him, I think that they may become a couple when they're teenagers or even before that.