“‘Tamaya’s a real Goody Two-shoes.’”

Hope’s words hurt Tamaya’s feelings and embarrass her in front of the older boys, but they also make her wonder why bad seems to be the new good. Tamaya’s actions refute that theory, however. Although Tamaya doesn’t want the “goody-goody” label, her core moral values motivate her to do the right thing even though it involves breaking rules. Ironically, Tamaya’s rule-breaking saves the world.

“‘SunRay Farm is now growing these man-made microorganisms—these tiny Frankensteins—so that they can burn them alive inside automobile engines.’”

Dr. Humbard objects to Fitzman’s ergonyms. He raises the novel’s first allusion to Frankenstein, equating the ergonyms with Frankenstein’s monster, as he considers both “an abomination of nature” (9). This allusion foreshadows the danger posed by the ergonyms. Humbard’s comment also raises the question of whether killing other creatures for the benefit of humankind is morally acceptable.

“The school was supposed to teach them how to be good people. When Tamaya was in the second grade, she had to memorize a list of ten virtues: charity, cleanliness, courage, empathy, grace, humility, integrity, patience, prudence, and temperance.”

Tamaya not only memorizes the virtues taught by Woodridge Academy but lives them. Throughout the novel, Tamaya demonstrates each of these virtues, living up to the school’s motto, “Virtue and Valor.”