A Crooked Kind of Perfect

What issues do Zoe’s family deal with, and how do these issues influence other areas of her life? How does being 11 years old and entering adolescence relate to the experience of Navigating Challenging Family Dynamics?

Why does Zoe wear toe socks to Emma’s party, and what does this choice say about Zoe as a person? How do toe socks relate to Zoe’s social life?

Zoe’s parents both make an effort to support her in the novel’s climax. That said, her parents don’t undergo extreme change: Her father is still anxious, and her mother still must work often. What might the author be saying about seeking a “perfect” life and having realistic expectations for others?

Why was Mabelline the ideal teacher for Zoe? What support does she provide that Zoe’s parents could not?

Wheeler Diggs’s home life is never explained in full, but it is frequently implied to be dysfunctional. How do Wheeler’s experiences help him support Zoe in a way that Emma might’ve been unable to, had they stayed close friends?

How does Zoe’s experience of learning to play the organ, adapting to her family’s needs, and befriending Wheeler all relate to Making the Most of Imperfection?

Zoe makes many friends over the course of the year while losing interest in others. How do Zoe’s experiences in forming these bonds illustrate Friendship as a Pillar for Personal Growth? What does Zoe learn from each person?

Why is learning to play an instrument such an effective way to gain confidence in oneself, both in musical ability and in life? How does learning to play the organ help improve Zoe’s self-image?