Themes/Lessons

The main character, (Jimmy) in the book I read, learned many lessons. One of them was, “Don’t dwell on the past. Move on.” I believe this is an important lesson because Jimmy had flashbacks throughout the book about his father dying. Jimmy thought that his father’s death was unjustified, and he believed that his father died way too young, and Jimmy thought he should’ve still been living. Jimmy’s father’s name was William. Jimmy repeatedly had flashbacks of watching his father behind the counter of his hardware store counting the finances and bills, when William suddenly dropped onto the floor. Jimmy immediately dialed 911. He stayed by his father’s side until the ambulance came, pleading with William not to die. The ambulance arrived, and Jimmy rode with. Before William died, he rasped one word. “Love”

Another theme I found was, “If you don’t get along very well with someone, at least treat them with respect.” I think this is a theme because Jimmy didn’t get along with one of his teammates, whose name was Augustus. Augustus resented Jimmy in the beginning of the story because Jimmy took the place in the U.S.A. team that Augustus believed belonged to his cousin. Jimmy and Augustus got into a fight in their first practice. Before the fight began, Jimmy confronted Augustus because he wanted to find out why Augustus hated him so much. The fight started with words, then switched to fists when Augustus shoved Jimmy, and Jimmy lost his cool and punched him. Augustus fell, then picked himself up and pounded Jimmy first in the stomach, then in the side of his head. Before the fight became any worse, a teammate stepped in and broke it up.
Throughout the story, Jimmy and Augustus ignored each other until the very end. It was the last game in the tournament, and The U.S.A. team won. A man from the bleachers suddenly pulled a gun out of his pocket and aimed it at Augustus. A police officer tackled the man, but not soon enough to stop him from firing. Jimmy tried to get out of the way, but the bullet hit him in the leg. Jimmy was taken to a hospital in Rome and he decided to have surgery in Rome since the best surgeon was there. Augustus showed up and told Jim he felt guilty that Jim took the bullet that was meant for himself. The two forgave each other and Augustus helped wheel Jim down the hospital hall to the surgery room.