The trouble all started right before the first day of sixth grade, the last time Franklin and I played Knights.
-- Elise (Chapter 1 paragraph 1)

Importance: When the novel begins, Elise explains how much she and her neighbor, Franklin, love to play Knights. During one game of Knights, Elise trips and falls, and cuts up her legs badly. Though she is alright, her legs look gross to her. This will lead to Amanda meanly commenting on Elise’s legs and beginning a period of bullying and a growing distance between Elise and Franklin.

It didn’t matter how many new kids there were at school. It took only one to ruin my life.
-- Elise (Chapter 1 paragraph 47)

Importance: Elise worries how she will look and how she will fit in with all the other new kids at the middle school. As the school day gets underway, Elise is confronted by Amanda, who makes fun of Elise for her legs and for...