January Haiku’s  

Rumors bring down shame

When the two who gossip came

Who deserves the blame

Scan dads future wife

And can only sit in strife

She ruined my life 

Held back all my tears 

I won’t let her see my fears

For the coming year

Knockers 

 The chapter Spooks follows Jason's quest for acceptance among his peers, but begins with him messing around with his neighbors by "cherry knocking" their doors. Jason says, "So here I was tying cotton to Mr. Blake's door knocker. The knocker was a roaring brass lion." This form of pranking is an enjoyable pass time for Jason, and is what eventually gets him noticed by the neighborhood group of kids known as the "spooks." Before Jason is approached by them the chapter starts off with a description of a brass lion. Lions traditionally symbolize power, pride, courage and authority. All these qualities are ones that are shared by members of the elite group known as the "spooks" and they are also all qualities Jason seems to lack. Throughout that chapter Jason passes a series of tests by completing each backyard challenge and makes it to the end finally earning his spot in the group and earning his lion esque status. Unfortunately he ultimately fails in the end because he cannot leave his friend behind when the other members of "spooks" order him to do so. 

Attention

Wish I could be thirteen again

Jason? Are you listening to me?

You never wear you’re granddad’s Omega, I’ve noticed

Jason? Are you listening to me?

I was so nervous that even Hangman’d run off to hide somewhere

Jason? Are you listening to me?

I was turning invisible and there was nothing I could do

Jason? Are you listening to me?

When the sun came out again so did my sense of reality

Jason? Are you listening to me?

I clenched my teeth without mercy

Jason? Are you listening to me?

I stared back, innocent, defiant, and surprised at myself 

Jason? Are you listening to me?

I nearly biffed his hand away and swung my shitty “trilobite” into the shitty sea

Jason? Are you listening to me?

Woman and Girls

I didn’t understand

It’s not a curse or a punishment 

I didn’t understand 

I was turning invisible and there was nothing I could do 

I didn’t understand 

All the girls watched to see how the boy'd defend himself 

I didn't understand 

Girls are from another planet 

I didn’t understand 

But not having a girlfriend means you’re a homo or a total loser or both 

I didn’t understand 

 Her voice went furious 

I didn’t understand 

I’m still too shy to call her anything 

I didn’t understand 

Rocks

In the chapter Rocks, an explosive argument between Jason’s parents blows up, while a British warship is simultaneously hit in battle. In the argument between Jason’s parents his mom fights to install a rockery in their backyard, arguing that Jason’s father had just spent a large sum of money on golf clubs. Usually once the argument reaches a certain point the mother backs down and surrenders in the fight. Jason says, ”Mum normally backs down at this point, but not today.” (99) She pushes, and pushes until the father, whom usually wins these battles, gives in and agrees to put up the money for the rockery. Within this argument there are similarities between the mother and Argentina, and the Father and Great Britain. Great Britain is expected to win every battle against Argentina, much like the father is expected to win every argument with the mother. On this day both Great Britain and the father are hit hard when Argentina and the mother decide to fight back. Both lose their respective battles, and are realize that they are capable of being defeated. Although Jason’s mother doesn’t entirely win as her koi fish are eaten by birds, it is a blow to the father’s ego when he has to give into the demands of is wife.

Bridle Path 

In Bridle Path Jason is left home alone for the day and decides to go on an adventure by himself into the woods. Throughout this journey he faces a myriad of tests that he ultimately fails, thus proving he isn’t ready for manhood. The first test was when Jason faced the dogs. When he was being chased by the dogs at first he decided to run away, but then eventually collapsed into a ball and waited for them to attack him. Instead of standing his ground and “manning up” he succumbed to the fear he was feeling and felt there was no reason for him to stand and fight. Another test was when he was up in the tree house and didn’t reveal himself to Tom Yew and Debbie Crombie when he had the chance. A person of more maturity would have told the couple that he was present before he saw things he was not intended to see. Jason decided to hide back and watch the two have sex under the tree, therefor failing this test as well. The final test was when Jason met up with Dawn Madden at the end of the chapter. Near the end of their encounter it is made clear that Dawn wants Jason to kiss her, but he opts out of the kiss, thus failing his final test. Although these tests may seem insignificant they reveal a lot about the maturity level of Jason. Throughout the book he talks like a poet, illustrating beautiful imagery throughout the text, making him seem more mature for his age. This chapter features many of Jason’s faults and highlights the fact that he is still only a thirteen year old boy.