A High Five for Glenn Burke

The high five is the most important symbol in the book. It is a tangible point of connection between Silas and Burke. Silas can tell his classmates about Glenn Burke’s life by focusing on the high five instead of talking about his sexuality, giving him a safe way to explore and talk about both who he and Burke are.

High fives are a symbol of friendship, teamwork, acceptance, and celebration. They are particularly common in sports. This makes it perfectly natural for Silas to introduce a double-handed high five as a team ritual at the end of the book.

By celebrating Burke’s legacy in the present day, Silas is metaphorically high fiving him across time. Their lives may be different, but some fundamental things about them are the same.

The Sandlot is Silas’s favorite movie. It is a major point of connection and shared interest for all of the boys on the Renegades; even Coach Webb loves it and quotes it all the time. The movie is mentioned several times throughout the novel. It shifts in meaning as Silas’s journey continues and reflects his teammates’ acceptance or rejection. At first, everyone on the team loves the movie and appreciates Silas’s references to it.