Contents
Costumes
Overview
August anticipates Halloween for the anonymity of wearing a mask and recalls past costumes. Although he planned to be Boba Fett, a hectic morning with Via’s meltdown and Dad’s urgency makes him choose last year’s simple Bleeding Scream costume instead. The choice underscores August’s desire to blend in and avoid extra stress.
Summary
August explains why Halloween is his favorite holiday: masks let him feel normal and unseen. He wishes people could meet without judging appearances. He recalls wearing an astronaut helmet everywhere as a child until an eye surgery ended that habit, and he lists his past Halloween costumes.
This year, August plans to be Boba Fett, and Mom customizes a Jango Fett outfit to look authentic. In homeroom, classmates share costume plans: Charlotte will be Hermione, Jack a wolfman, and Julian Jango Fett, which creates an awkward overlap with August’s Boba Fett.
On Halloween morning, Via has an emotional meltdown while Dad is late for work. Mom stays with Via, and Dad urges August to hurry. Rushed and put off by the Boba/Jango outfit’s complexity and paint smell, August abandons it and instead throws on last year’s simple Bleeding Scream costume.
Outside, Dad mistakes the Star Wars reference, calling it Jango instead of Boba, but approves the easier costume. August accepts the change, leaning into the comfort of a mask that helps him pass unnoticed.
Who Appears
- August (Auggie) PullmanNarrator; loves Halloween’s anonymity, recalls past costumes, and switches to Bleeding Scream amid a rushed morning.
- Dad (Mr. Pullman)Impatient about being late; pushes August to hurry, inadvertently influencing the costume change.
- Via PullmanHas a sudden emotional meltdown, drawing Mom’s attention and adding stress to the morning.
- Mom (Isabel Pullman)Expertly modifies the Boba/Jango costume; stays with Via during her meltdown.
- Jack WillClassmate; plans to be a wolfman, part of the homeroom costume chatter.
- Julian AlbansClassmate; plans a Jango Fett costume, overlapping awkwardly with August’s Boba idea.
- Charlotte CodyClassmate; mentions going as Hermione, contributing to the costume discussion.