Who is Alex? Why does he admire Jake? Why does he believe that he will never be strong enough to chop wood? Why does Alex feel left out? How does the reader know this? What does Virginia do to cheer her son up?

Who is Virginia? What is special about Virginia? Why does she need help picking up change? Why does she ask Alex's opinion about the jar with the pears in it? How did the pears get into the jar? What does Virginia plan to do with the jar? What does this say about Virginia's personality?

Who is Jake? What is he doing when the story begins? What does this say about Jake? Why does Alex admire this about Jake? What does Jake say when Alex comments that he looks like a movie cowboy? What is most noteworthy about this comment? What is...