What are the main themes in Sleator's, Oddballs?

Oddballs is primarily a study of character—Sleator's and others—and its theme, the uncomplicated one of how a person grows, is therefore subordinate. The theme engenders obvious questions such as how did he grow, what made him grow, did he grow in every way? This theme subtly keeps the focus of the book on Sleator himself, even when a vignette may emphasize the actions of others.