Ninth grader Darrell, the novel’s protagonist and point-of-view character, faces the challenge of moving away from his home and comfortable friend group in Philadelphia and starting over in California. Short and skinny for his age, Darrell experiences considerable shame about his size and appearance. Because he is perceived as weak, Darrell is frequently picked on. When the novel opens, he lacks the physical strength to fight back and finds it difficult to tell anyone about being bullied.

Despite these challenges, Darrell is kind and thoughtful. Even though he hates his new school and struggles socially, he hides it from his mother so that he won’t ruin her excitement about her new job and life in California. When Darrell’s bully, Tyray, torments his potential love interest, Amberlynn, for associating with Darrell, Darrell doesn’t blame Amber for distancing herself from him. Darrell’s kindness shows most clearly when he is the only student who helps cafeteria worker Miss Bea after noticing that she holds her back in pain.

Darrell also exhibits empathy when he intervenes in the harmful dynamic between his younger cousins. Noticing Travis bullying his younger brother Nate in much the same way that Tyray bullies Darrell, Darrell jumps in to defend Nate.