The Shape of Thunder

Cora’s seventh-grade team has a practice Quiz Bowl match against the eighth-grade team. Cora is disappointed to miss a question from the Nature and Wildlife category—this is usually her strength because her father listens to biology podcasts in the car. Cora reflects on casual racism when their teacher implies that her team will know about the Middle Eastern geography section because Cora’s father is Lebanese. She also remembers the racism exhibited toward Owen by people who assume he is Chinese or related to a Korean classmate. When Mia asks Cora if she’s okay, Cora snaps about not knowing the capital of Saudi Arabia, and Owen dispels the tension by asking their opinions about self-driving cars. The practice continues.

Quinn remembers the first time Parker called Cora’s dad a “nasty foreigner” (98). Over dinner, Quinn’s dad asks her whether she would like to move to a different area for a fresh start. Quinn’s mom angrily reminds him that they are trying to raise Quinn to be resilient. Quinn’s dad reminds her that that didn’t go well with Parker. Quinn’s mom points out that the guns were his, and her father says the guns are gone now. Quinn’s mom starts crying, saying that her son is gone too.