My Life as a Book

Derek and his family have an uneventful flight to Boston, where his grandma greets them with enthusiasm and affection. They watch a DVD of her bowling team highlights, Derek plays with some old crutches, and the family looks at old photos together. Derek’s grandma treats them like “special company” (146), even rubbing Derek’s feet for him. Derek likes feeling like a “little kid again, even if it’s just for a short time” (147) and gets an idea to have his grandma read one of his summer reading books for him. His parents express irritation at this, but Derek’s grandma insists that she wants to. As she reads, Derek uses the technique that Margot taught him to visualize the setting, mood, and tone of the book. By the time they’re through, they’ve completed two chapters of the book.

A drawing of a skeleton illustrates the word “spine” by humorously showing Derek’s spine being broken as his grandma tightly hugs him goodbye. He and his parents set off on the ferry for Martha’s Vineyard, and when they arrive, his mom seems sullen. However, after dropping Bodi off at the bed-and-breakfast, they decide to explore the island.