Told mostly from an omniscient point of view, the two parallel plots move forward in a linear manner with very sparing use of either flashback or foreshadowing. Some terminology is consistent with the book's Australian location but these terms are generally standard enough that an American child could understand what the author means by their context.

Mart's story is extremely straightforward and linear. The plot begins with the challenge to stick his finger in the dead cat's mouth and ends with the gun incident and his decision to stand up to Chunk about meeting Mr. Chalmers at the library. The only significant use of flashback occurs when Matt gets in trouble with his father and remembers the only other time he saw his father angry. This occurrence, as well as several other minor uses of flashback, add little to the story other than to further explain...