The Best of Iggy

“Moms make you do stuff.

Iggy’s mom, for example, made him hang out with Jeremy, because she was friends with Jeremy’s mom. Why wasn’t she friends with the moms of the guys Iggy liked?”

This quote conveys the theme of Conflict in Friendship and Family Relationships. Iggy feels frustrated because his mother forces him to spend time with Jeremy, whom he dislikes. He struggles with the constraints imposed on him by adults.

“A recital. Of course. Because Jeremy Greerson played the cello. Jeremy Greerson was a reader. Jeremy Greerson had the best manners ever, said Iggy’s own grandmother. Everyone old thought Jeremy Greerson was the most wonderful boy in the world. Even some kids thought that. Girls, mostly. But still.”

Jeremy Greerson is portrayed as multi-talented, accomplished, and well mannered, the epitome of perfection, setting up a stark contrast with Iggy. The fact that Jeremy is commended by Iggy’s grandma, an older and wiser figure, adds to Jeremy’s image of perfection. This characterization sets the stage for the dynamics between the two characters throughout the story.

“Extenuating circumstances are facts that make the things people do more understandable. They are pieces of information you need to know before you decide whether someone is good or bad. This idea is tricky, so here is an example:

A guy walks into a store and steals a loaf of bread.

A guy walks into a store and steals a loaf of bread because he hasn’t eaten anything in two days.”

The novel uses clear and direct language to explain the concept of extenuating circumstances, a motif throughout the novel, and presents an example to help illustrate it. By comparing two scenarios, the novel explains that context can influence the perception of someone’s actions. This makes a complex concept accessible to middle grade readers, helping them connect the term to Iggy’s actions.

“Iggy started to laugh. His mouth was full. You know what happened. Pancake everywhere. (By the way, this is not the bad thing that Iggy’s going to do. This is not his fault in any way. Come on. Dutch Baby? It’s just funny.)”

This quote is essential for Iggy’s characterization. It illustrates Iggy’s carefree and mischievous nature. Moreover, the parenthetical aside from the narrator adds humor and establishes a playful narrative style, reinforcing that the story doesn’t take itself too seriously and inviting readers to enjoy the humorous moments.

“Iggy knew that Jeremy Greerson would never sing a song about pee. Oh no, not him. He played the cello. He played the cello and had such nice manners, he was probably going to tell on Iggy.

‘[Thing about pee]!’ sang Iggy.

‘I’d get killed if I sang that,’ said Jeremy.”

Iggy singing a song about pee is a display of his mischievous and irreverent nature. This contrasts with Jeremy’s impeccable manners and rule-abiding behavior. Iggy sees Jeremy as too perfect and uptight. The fact that Iggy imagines Jeremy telling on him further accentuates their differing personalities.

“This won’t take long. I just need to say that the shed was short. Not nearly as tall as a house. The highest part of the roof was about eleven feet off the ground. If you can’t picture eleven feet, it’s about the height of two dads, one standing on the other’s shoulders. That’s how high the roof was. The roof was also not pointy. It wasn’t flat, but it wasn’t pointy either. It was a slope.

Got it?

Good.

Let’s get back to business.”

This passage, which encompasses the entire Chapter 5, is an example of the novel’s humor. The description of the shed’s height, comparing it to “two dads, one standing on the other’s shoulders,” uses an absurd image to make the explanation visual for young readers. The narrator’s conversational tone breaks the fourth wall and makes the narration feel interactive.

“Jeremy made a snort-laugh and hurried up the ladder to the roof of the shed. He stood on the edge of the roof and made the food-spitting face again. ‘Iggy the Piggy!’ he called.

Iggy forgot how much his shin hurt. He forgot that and everything else.

‘Is that your real name, Iggy the Piggy?’”

This moment shatters the facade of Jeremy’s perfection, revealing that he is a complex character and can be mean-spirited. This serves as an extenuating circumstance for Iggy’s subsequent actions. Iggy’s reaction—forgetting his pain and chasing Jeremy up the ladder—is a direct response to the name calling.

“Here, in order, is what the parents saw:

1.Jeremy standing on the edge of the roof of the shed

2.Iggy storming up the ladder, screeching, ‘You’re dead, Jeremy Greerson!’

Jeremy looking over his shoulder in terror as Iggy reached the roof

3.Iggy lunging for Jeremy

Jeremy leaping wildly into the air, screaming, ‘Hellllllp!’”

This passage, which constitutes the entire chapter, uses a list format to break down a chaotic scene with humor. The list creates a sense of immediacy, allowing readers to visualize the misunderstanding from the parents’ perspective. The exaggerated descriptions, such as Iggy’s dramatic threat and Jeremy’s wild leap, contrast with the actual intention behind Iggy’s actions.

“What seemed to be happening was not happening. Iggy had been trying to stop Jeremy from jumping off the roof. If Iggy had caught Jeremy on the roof, he might have hit him, but he would not have pushed him off the roof. Jumping off the roof had been Jeremy’s own idea. Iggy hadn’t made him do it.”

This quote clarifies the misunderstanding by explaining Iggy’s true intentions and the extenuating circumstance of the incident. This reinforces the idea that understanding context is crucial before making judgments. It also reveals that Iggy has a conscientious side, as he tried to prevent Jeremy from jumping, and undermines Jeremy’s seemingly perfect image, as he was responsible for his own actions.

“Iggy heard his mom and dad whispering in the hall. He didn’t feel good. How could he? His parents thought he was terrible. They were probably wishing they had a son like Jeremy Greerson.”

This passage underscores Conflict in Friendship and Family Relationships. Iggy believes his parents would prefer someone like Jeremy, who embodies their ideals. This moment also deepens Iggy’s characterization by revealing his insecurities and the pressure he feels to meet his parents’ expectations.

“What did ‘watch’ mean? Did it mean they were going to tell him what to do? They’d better not! Maribel was only two and half years older than he was! And Haley! The day Haley got her new cell phone, she’d dropped it in the toilet! What gave her the right to watch him? Nothing!”

This passage conveys the theme of The Challenges of Growing Up, highlighting the tensions and conflicts that arise as children navigate relationships and assert their independence. Iggy dislikes authority and struggles with the idea of being supervised by his 11-year-old sister. The humorous mention of Haley dropping her phone in the toilet undermines her credibility in Iggy’s eyes.

“‘So then she said, Kylie, you can’t wear those, it’s against the rules, and then—’ Maribel paused. ‘Iggy, stop listening!’

‘I’m not!’

‘Go away, or I’ll tell Mom you bugged us.’

What? ‘You call that watching me?’ Iggy yelled. ‘I could be dead for all you know!’”

Even though Iggy doesn’t want Maribel to have authority over him, he feels neglected when she is more interested in chatting with her friend than in watching him. This behavior underscores the theme of The Challenges of Growing Up. Iggy needs attention and validation and misbehaves when he doesn’t receive it.

“Most of Iggy’s brain was on vacation. The only part still at work was the hand-moving part. Because what Iggy did then was flip the lock on the bathroom door, fling it open, and jump out into the hall covered in shaving cream, eyeliner, and lipstick.”

This quote highlights Iggy’s impulsive nature and lack of consideration for consequences. His actions are driven by spontaneity rather than thought. The tone in this passage is humorous, painting a comical image.

“The lipstick was ruined. His mom was pretty upset about that. She wasn’t happy about the eyeliner either, but it wasn’t ruined. There was just less of it. The lipstick was bad. Iggy had to buy a whole new one with his own money. Iggy figured lipstick would cost the same as a marker, but it cost thirteen dollars! That was when Iggy wished a lot that he hadn’t gone too far.”

Iggy begins to understand the impact of his actions, underscoring The Importance of Learning From Mistakes. After ruining his mom’s lipstick, Iggy is forced to take responsibility and buy a new one with his own money. This financial consequence makes Iggy reflect on his behavior, and he wishes that he hadn’t gone so far. This is therefore a moment of growth for Iggy.

“Puttzi is Iggy’s fourth-grade teacher. Of course, he didn’t call her Puttzi. Not to her face, anyway. He called her Ms. Schulberger. She was his favorite teacher ever. She was young and pretty and nice. She wore necklaces with different funny things on them, like a tiny hammer or fractions.”

Ms. Schulberger is characterized as a fun and quirky teacher, setting her apart from others. Her unique necklaces reflect her playful and approachable personality, making her a positive figure for the students.

“Iggy and Arch and Owen and Diego and—sort of—Skyler were famous. They were not famous for being good. Or for being helpful and polite. Or for playing the cello or reading or painting watercolors.

To be honest, they were famous for getting in trouble.”

Iggy’s friends are introduced as notorious troublemakers. They are known for causing mischief rather than excelling in virtuous activities and hobbies. By listing these activities the novel creates a juxtaposition between the boys’ reputation and Jeremy’s idealized image.

“‘We should have a desk race. When she’s not looking.’

Skyler, who may or may not have had a toothpick in his mouth, said, ‘Puttzi can be the finish line.’

‘Yeah!’ Iggy said, laughing. ‘We can all charge her at once! Like she turns to do something on the board, and we all go right then.’”

This quote underscores Conflict in Friendship and Family Relationships. Despite his admiration for Ms. Schulberger, Iggy suggests a desk race and agrees to Skyler’s suggestion of racing toward Ms. Schulberger. Iggy is susceptible to peer influence and acts impulsively, which causes him to hurt his favorite teacher.

“Iggy charged as fast as he could. He was laughing and driving and making car-squealing sounds. So he only glimpsed Ms. Schulberger’s face in the very last second before he reached her.

And in that very last second, Iggy thought…

This was a bad idea.”

As Iggy charges forward with excitement, he realizes his mistake and immediately regrets his decisions. This is a pivotal moment in the story, setting the stage for Iggy’s subsequent remorse and apology, which are central to his character development.

“‘I’m sorry,’ Iggy said for the fiftieth or sixtieth or ninetieth time. He swallowed. ‘I’m really, really sorry.’”

This moment demonstrates Iggy’s understanding of the consequences of his actions. Iggy’s repeated apologies illustrate his genuine remorse, in contrast with his earlier behavior in the book, developing the theme of The Importance of Learning From Mistakes.

“Iggy didn’t make a sound all morning. He kept his eyes down and his hands to himself. It almost killed him. When the recess bell went, he jumped to his feet, wanting like crazy to tear out of the room.”

This passage demonstrates the significant change in Iggy’s behavior. His silence throughout the morning shows his effort to control his impulsive nature, reflecting his determination to improve. It also reveals his embarrassment because of his actions: He wants to run out at recess because he wants to avoid facing Ms. Schulberger.

“Ms. Schulberger nodded.

Iggy opened his lift-top desk and took out the things he had brought. The first was a drawing he had made. It was very embarrassing. It was a flower. Below the flower, it said ‘Get Well Soon’ and ‘I’m sorry.’ The second was a letter. In it, he had written ‘I’m sorry’ a hundred times. Then an equal sign. Then ‘I’m sorry’ in ten groups of ten. He had circled each group and written ‘bundling’ on the side, in case she didn’t get it. The third thing was a bag containing two candy bars he had bought with his own money, plus some other candy left over from Halloween.”

The gifts symbolize Iggy’s regret and changed behavior. Writing “I’m sorry” 100 times showcases the depth of his remorse. The candy, especially since it was bought with his own money and includes leftover Halloween treats, reflects his youthful innocence and his willingness to offer something he considers valuable as a gesture of apology.

“Officially, extenuating circumstances are things that happen before the person does the bad thing. They are pieces of information that explain why someone did the bad thing.”

The narrator adopts an educational tone, explaining the concept of extenuating circumstances in simple language suitable for middle grade readers. By breaking down a complex term into an easy-to-understand definition, the novel ensures that young readers can grasp its meaning and relevance to the story.

“All of this made Ms. Schulberger know that Iggy was really, truly sorry. Even years later, when Iggy thought of the moment Ms. Schulberger turned and saw him and screamed, he felt bad. That’s how sorry he was.

That’s extenuating, isn’t it?”

This passage encapsulates the intensity and the enduring nature of his remorse, conveying the theme of The Importance of Learning From Mistakes. Iggy’s regret extends beyond the immediate aftermath of the incident, resonating with him over time. Ms. Schulberger recognizes Iggy’s genuine remorse, suggesting that Iggy’s gifts and gestures were meaningful to her.