Most of the students in Mr. Terupt’s class experience life-changing situations in the book. They also have different levels of support at home. When they have this support at home, they have an easier time navigating their internal and external dilemmas. When they do not have support at home, they seek it elsewhere. Sometimes this works out well, but other times it does not.

Danielle has a great support system at home because she lives with her brother, parents, and grandparents. When big events happen at school, such as when Jeffrey punches Derek and when Jeffrey finds the abandoned baby, Danielle goes straight home and tells her grandmother. While her family is not perfect and her grandparents are not always accepting of other people, they do form a solid support system for her, and she does not need to seek advice elsewhere.

At the beginning of the novel, Lexie does not have this support. Her mother loves her, but since she works in the afternoons and evenings, she often sleeps during the morning, leaving Lexie alone. This works fine over the summer because Lexie spends time with Mr. Terupt and other classmates who care about her and are a good influence on her.