Summary

Chapter 1 opens with John setting the stage for the main narrative by starting with a flashback. John "Crash" Coogan explains how he got his nickname. When John was a young boy he received a football helmet as a present for Christmas. John tackled his cousin Bridget. John does not really remember the incident but does think it makes sense since he tends to crash into people and things wherever he goes. There is only one person who does not call John "Crash," Penn Webb, his peer and neighbor. John then takes readers back to the summer before first grade when he meets Penn the day after Penn moves into the neighborhood. Penn introduces himself and explains that he got his name from his great-grandfather, who ran in the Penn Relays track and field event. Penn says he is from the prairies of North...