logo

49 pages 1 hour read

John David Anderson

Ms. Bixby's Last Day

John David AndersonFiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2016

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Background

Social Context: Early Adolescence in the Sixth Grade

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains a description of death. 

Anderson begins the story with the three narrators approaching a classmate, Rebecca, and telling her that they have diagnosed her with cooties. The ensuing conflict involves discussions of mythical illnesses, attempted contamination, and a chase scene only ending through the intervention of a teacher. Thus, the author captures boys’ fledgling early, pre-teen awareness of girls, seen through the filters of mystery and taboo. Given the boys’ age, the book frequently connects to themes related to growing up; it constitutes a coming-of-age story about the shift from childhood ignorance to a more grown-up understanding of some of the harsh realities of the world.

Still intact, however, among the boys who are the main characters is the notion of the best-friend-forever. These are commitments the boys pledge as life-long vows of fidelity: Topher makes Steve promise to prevent him from ever getting married. Most of the jealousy described in the narrative is the fear that another guy will interfere with a friendship between two of the boys that has been solid for years. In the face of these carryovers from pre-pubescence, there are as well awakening attractions to members of another gender.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 49 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,450+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools