Contents
Jack Will
Overview
August and Jack Will are consistently seated together, and their friendship solidifies as they navigate classmates’ reactions. An eighth grader’s startled "whoa" becomes fodder for shared humor, showing how August and Jack cope. Jack’s blunt question about surgery prompts August’s revelation he has already had many. Their laughter earns a reprimand and seat change.
Summary
August spends the school day paired with Jack Will in multiple classes due to assigned seating, which places them side by side everywhere. They walk together between periods, with Jack deliberately ignoring students who stare at August.
On the way to history, a rushing eighth grader knocks August down, then blurts "Whoa!" after seeing August’s face. The awkward moment turns into shared laughter for August and Jack, bonding them further. Their joking continues in class until Mr. Roche asks them to settle.
After reading about Sumerians, Jack quietly asks if August ever wants to fight back against kids who stare. They riff about a prank squirt-gun filled with disgusting “ammo,” using humor as a coping strategy, before Mr. Roche again reminds them to be quiet.
Jack then candidly asks whether August will always look the same or could get plastic surgery. August replies that this is after plastic surgery, revealing the extent of past procedures. The honesty leads to another bout of laughter, prompting Mr. Roche to separate them by switching seats.
Who Appears
- August (Auggie) PullmanNarrator; bonds with Jack, uses humor to handle stares, reveals prior plastic surgeries.
- Jack WillAugust’s friend; ignores stares, jokes to defuse tension, asks candidly about surgery, gets separated for laughing.
- Mr. RocheHistory teacher who twice hushes August and Jack and finally switches their seats.
- Unnamed eighth graderKnocks August down, blurts “Whoa!” at his face, unintentionally sparking August and Jack’s shared laughter.