Book 1, The Things We Carried (55-82) Summary

To amuse herself during homework time, Adah writes a quote from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and gives it to Leah, asking her where it is from. Leah thinks it's from the gospel of Luke. Adah laughs inside without smiling on the outside. Adah used to read many books from the library in Bethlehem, even some books that her father would not have approved of. Mother knew about this but didn't say anything. She is beset by Leah and Adah's status as exceptional children. In the first grade, they are labeled gifted: Leah because of her high scores on reading comprehension and Adah by association.

Father receives news of their giftedness by warning Mother not to expect too much from the girls as he doesn't think girls in college...