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.