Dreenie

Dreenie is the central character in the novel; the author allies the reader closely with Dreenie's actions, thoughts, and feelings. Dreenie is ten years old, and has just entered fifth grade at a new school. At the outset of the novel, Dreenie has managed to make only a single friend at school, Tuli. Dreenie is anxious about school and also anxious about the level of her intelligence, as teachers heap praise on her smart younger sister, Willie, but don't seem to be giving any to Dreenie.

Dreenie is fascinated with the strange new girl in class, who she deems Bluish. Dreenie is mature for her age, and regards Bluish with wonder and caution rather than the outright fear or ridicule of many of her classmates. Dreenie develops a fixation on Bluish, and the anxiety forces her to bring up Bluish with her mother and father, who urge her...