Chapter 3

"But no matter how much the world around us seemed ready to crumble my mother was determined to see us through it" (page 47)
- The theme I am tracking in this quote is the theme of the single mother. Even though Wes's mother is a single one, she still makes way for her kids by working multiple jobs and being a freelance writer for magazines; whatever she could do to help sustain her family.

"When my mom visited the school again as an adult, she was immediately convinced that this was where she wanted my sister and me to go" (page 48)
- The themes I am tracking are single mothers and the importance of education. With Wes's mother being a single mother and concerned about her children's education makes it all the more comforting to know she wants the best for her kids in a city like the one they live in and she won't settle for her children being a statistic, saying this, she puts them in the best school possible.

"Ozzie shook his head in disbelief. 'If dude wanted to buy some rock, he should have just said it. Who the hell was he gonna call if we gave him some change?' We all laughed as the pan holder staggered back up the block to look for sympathy elsewhere" (page 50)
- The theme that I am tracking in this quote is drugs. These boys walk around the block and encounter these crack heads and it's normal to them! That is sad! And they laugh about it! I guess that  is just how it was at that point in life. But this is a theme because it is very normal is Wes's life's and in his neighborhood.

"Always keep your money in your front pocket, never in your back pocket." (Page 51)
- In this quote, Justin gives Wes advice about the streets. In this quote I am tracking the theme of crime. Crime is obviously a problem when advice is given of how to handle your money and to watch yourself when you walk out the streets.

"I tried to hide the fact that my family was so much poorer than everyone else's at school. Every week I sat down to create a schedule for my clothes." (Page 52)
- In this quote Wes explains how he had to alternate his clothes in order to keep up an image up at his more wealthy private school. In this quote I am tracking the theme of poverty. Even though Wes's family isn't in poverty, they aren't in an exactly stable position.