What do you think is the symbolic value of Skelly being in a dumpster? What are the parallels between where he is physically and where he is mentally / emotionally?

On one level, the book's title can clearly be seen as referring to Jake's literal graduation from eighth grade. In what other sort of graduation does he participate ? In other words, if graduation is a departure from one phase of life into another, from what non-school phase of life does Jake depart , and into what phase does he move, over the course of the narrative?

Discuss your experiences with a family member having Alzheimer's, or any other disabling illness. What were the stresses on your life? On your family? How did you cope? How did your family cope?

In what ways does the injury to Skelly's wrists metaphorically echo or represent his mental/emotional condition...