Describe how Penelope treats Junior – provide two specific examples. How does this relationship contribute to Junior’s understanding of himself/his identity?

          A major part of why Junior's transition to Reardon is so difficult is because of Penelope. Everything is all so confusing to Arnold. Not only do the other kids ignore him, but Penelope is also giving him mixed emotions. She leads him on in a way. One day, she seems willing to talk to him, and then the next day, she, too seems to completely ignore him. "Of course, after that little moment, I thought that Penelope and I would become closer...Penelope still treated me pretty much the same. She didn't really say much to me. And I didn't really say much to her," (81). Penelope basically treats him like a weird new kid that she feels bad not talking to.

          

          Even though Penelope sometimes ignores him, in general Junior thinks she's a nice person. But maybe Junior might also be giving her the benefit of the doubt in a lot of situations just because he has a crush on her. But she does sometimes to with him. And she also seems like a caring person. Like when she was worried about his bruises, and when they talked about how helping homeless people made themselves feel good. "Oh my God, are you okay?...That's terrible Did you see a doctor?...I'm sorry they did that to you," (80). 

          Through her different "mood swings" with Arnold, she makes him feel incredibly confused. Everything she does makes him feel happy inside. But she doesn't seem to feel the same way. Junior thinks about Penelope basically throughout his whole day. He doesn't know what to do make them even become friends. He is always acting really awkward around her, and has trouble figuring out with to say to her. Junior even thought of a conversation that he would have with Rowdy about Penelope. "How do I make a beautiful white girl fall in love with me?... The first thing you have to do is change the way you look, the way you talk, the way you walk. And then she'll think you're her fricking Prince Charming," (81). 

What do you think about the way Penelope treats Junior? And what would you do in Arnold's position?