The key issues in this novel are mental illness and the effect that losing a child can have on a mother. Even though Joyce is presented as a villain, Kehret is careful to build a reasonable explanation as to why she is behaving so obsessively. We learn that Joyce's own child died at birth, a fact that she was never willing to accept. Kehret does not excuse Joyce's actions, but she does show sensitivity toward those who develop mental illnesses.

On the other hand, Mrs. Vaughn's character flaws, her insistence on control and her love of power, are treated with no mercy.

Mrs. Vaughn actually becomes more of a villain than Joyce, because she has no excuses for her behavior. The battle between Mrs. Vaughn and the rest of the school community over Mr. Wren's coaching philosophy allows the author to explore the important social question...