Album

Maxine's Student of the Week album is symbolic of racism. Everyone except Jennifer McGuire uses the album to write down mean, bigoted comments about Maxine. Their words actively threaten Maxine's sense of self and confuse her understanding of who she is.

Cabbage Patch Doll

Maxine's Cabbage Patch Doll is symbolic of shame. Maxine is horrified when she discovers that the doll is Black. This is because she wants to fit in with her classmates and the doll's skin color reiterates the way that she is different from her white peers.

Bike

Maxine's childhood bike is symbolic of freedom. When Maxine rides her bike around the neighborhood, she feels unbridled. She sings songs while riding, which conveys how the activity positively impacts her spirit. In a world where she often feels trapped and alone, the bike liberates her.

Vitiligo

Maxine's vitiligo diagnosis is symbolic of longing. Maxine...