Boy21

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2012

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Download PDF

Access Full Guide

Before You Read

Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Preface–Chapter 4

Chapters 5–8

Chapters 9–11

Chapters 12–17

Chapters 18–20

Chapters 21–25

Chapters 26–28

Chapters 29–32

Chapters 33–37

Chapters 38–40

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Discussion Questions

Chapters 18–20Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 18 Summary

Erin and Finley are having a snowball fight when they are interrupted by Coach, who asks Finley to take a ride with him. Finley and Coach sit in the car and Coach asks Finley about Russ, who has been quiet since his birthday. Basketball season is around the corner, but Finley explains that Russ doesn’t seem to be interested in or stable enough to play basketball. This makes Coach angry, and Finley then gets annoyed at Coach for being angry. Coach tells Finley to make sure that Russ gets to his physical and comes to the Friday team meeting, then thanks Finley and tells him that these efforts are all to help Russ, which Finley doesn’t believe. Finley goes inside to find Erin watching television with his father and grandfather. Erin and Finley go up to the roof, she asks about Coach’s visit, and Finley tells her that Coach wants Russ to play basketball. They kiss.

The next day, Erin asks Russ about basketball, and Russ looks at Finley for an answer. Finley says nothing. They get physicals, but Russ does not show up to the Friday meeting. Coach asks Finley about it, saying that Russ has reverted to talking about his parents coming to get him from