Page 1-31 What us "absolutely the saddest thing in the world" (Alexie 31) (OLIVIA)

Arnold lives in an unfortunately poor neighborhood with a poor lifestyle and family. He has just begun high school with his friend Rowdy. On Arnold’s first day, they received geometry books. Arnold’s teacher, Mr.P passed them out to all of the students. Arnold received it and he wanted to smell it. “I wanted to smell it (Alexie 30).” “Heck, I wanted to kiss it. Yes, kiss it. That’s right, I am a book kisser (Alexie 30).” He was so excited to have been presented with his first book in high school. It was until he opened the book to the front page, that he disliked it. Right inside the front cover, written in big letters was “Agnes Adams.” She was Arnolds mother. This book had been passed down from his mother to him. It discouraged Arnold to learn. He thought that the school deserved better and that they shouldn’t be so poor. His hopes and dreams were shattered. His first day of high school was ruined from this unpleasant surprise. Arnold already thought of his family as poor and going through poverty. He wanted to be enlightened by his high school experience but when he saw his mothers name on the inside of the front cover, he realized that the poverty had been lasting for a while. He realized that nothing has changed over the years. He noted that his school wasn’t fortunate enough to buy one new geometry book for one student. He explained it as, “absolutely the saddest thing in the world (Alexie 31).” Arnold thought of it as wretched and discouraging.