Jerome Misses Being Ordered to Do Chores (Situational Irony)
After he dies, Jerome visits his family as a ghost. The only member of his family who appears to sense him is Grandma, who hums gospel music and moves her head in Jerome's direction whenever he moves. Jerome comments that, were he alive, she'd be telling him to do his chores and wash his hands. In an instance of situational irony, Jerome says that he misses how his grandmother used to order him around; even though she was making him do things he didn't want to do, Jerome is nostalgic for when he could communicate with her.
As Short as His Daughter (Situational Irony)
While testifying at the preliminary hearing, Officer Moore claims he is not guilty of murdering Jerome because he was "in fear for his life" during the shooting. Moore describes Jerome as having been scary and hulking, attributes that prevented him from noticing that Jerome was a child. The prosecutor reveals to Moore that Jerome weighed ninety pounds and was five feet tall—the same height as Moore's twelve-year-old daughter. In this instance of situational irony, the prosecutor highlights the flimsiness of Moore's claim that Jerome looked like an adult by pointing out that Moore lives with a daily reminder of what a twelve-year-old, five-foot child looks like.
Carlos Keeps a Secret (Dramatic Irony)
Following Jerome's death, Carlos makes friends with Grandma and Kim, walking Kim home after class and acting as a chaperone at their school. While Kim appreciates Carlos helping out in Jerome's place, she tells Carlos that he must tell Grandma the truth that he gave Jerome the toy gun. Carlos agrees he must, but meanwhile stews in the discomfort of his remorse when politely interacting with Grandma. In this instance of dramatic irony, the reader knows Carlos is concealing a secret that eats away at him from the inside.
Truce with the Bullies (Situational Irony)
One day before school starts, Jerome panics to see the trio of bullies who used to torment him waiting at the top of the stairs as Kim and Carlos arrive. Grandma is there too, and she calls out to Kim with worry. Carlos confidently approaches Eddie, who is Dominican, and tells him in Spanish that Kim is "mi familia" (my family). Eddie extends his hand to Kim respectfully and expresses his condolences for what happened to her brother. The four boys then walk Kim to class together. Jerome comments that a truce has been made. In this instance of situational irony, the boys who used to bully Carlos and Jerome now treat Carlos and Kim with respect because of Jerome's unjust death.
