There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom

“His desk was full of little wads of torn paper, pencil points, chewed erasers, and other unrecognizable stuff, all taped together.”

Sachar uses imagery to create a vivid picture of Bradley’s desk. The depiction of the torn paper, chewed erasers, and broken pencils reflects Bradley’s turmoil and the “monstrous” characterization that he intentionally perpetuates. As his desk indicates, Bradley Chalkers is a destructive boy.

“Claudia snickered. Although she always made fun of Bradley’s animals, she had really felt bad when she stepped on the rabbit. She knew it was Bradley’s favorite. She had bought him the bear to make up for it.”

Claudia antagonizes her little brother, but she also cares about him. After she steps on Ronnie’s ear, she gives him Bartholomew the Bear. She understands the animal objects represent his community, so she adds to his support group.

“Deep down, he really is a good boy.”

Janet, Bradley’s mom, says this to Mrs. Ebbel. The reader might dismiss Janet’s statement as something any parent would say—no parent wants to think their child is irredeemably bad. Yet future events turn Janet’s statement into foreshadowing. It previews the good inside Bradley—the good that Carla helps him display.