Compare and contrast Paul and Joey

Paul is more genuine and grounded than Joey. Joey is Paul’s first friend in the Tangerine area. Joey’s family lives in the Lake Windsor housing development. Joey’s brother Mike dies near the opening of the novel after being struck by lightning on the football field. Joey comes to join Paul at Tangerine Middle School after the sinkhole opens up at Lake Windsor Middle school. However, Joey has a bad attitude when he gets to Tangerine Middle. He doesn’t get along with any of the kids; then he bursts out with a racist tirade against them. He leaves Tangerine Middle, and Paul is fine with that.