Mr. Terupt Falls Again

“I didn’t tell Ms. Newberry, but it wasn’t just the way she looked at him. It was the way he looked at her, too.”

These are Anna’s thoughts after she asks Ms. Newberry if she likes Mr. Terupt. These words are important, as they establish early on that a relationship between the two teachers may be budding, but the students do not know for sure. They are also important because they demonstrate how closely Anna understands people’s nonverbal cues.

“‘The boys should be hot after you,’ Reena said. ‘You’re a pretty little brat.’”

Reena says these words to Lexie, as Reena and Lisa give Lexie a mini makeover. Later in the novel, Lexie tries to get attention from boys by looking older. These words demonstrate that she is also willing to be spoken down to in order to be accepted by the older girls.

“That wouldn’t be the only time I saw Ms. Newberry with tears in her eyes this year.”

Jessica says these words, implying that something bad might happen to Mr. Terupt or another character. Instead, the words refer to Ms. Newberry’s tears when Mr. Terupt proposes to her. The line is intended to create suspense and show Jessica’s directorial ability to create narrative tension.