Clementine

“Which was unfair because each time, I was the only person in the whole art room who was paying attention.”

This introduction to Clementine captures a few important aspects of her personality. The reader sees Clementine’s funny way of explaining things in a conversational tone. Additionally, we see her perspective as an eight-year-old who is constantly evaluating what is good/bad or fair/unfair. Perhaps most importantly, these lines establish Clementine’s status as the “only person […] paying attention.” Throughout the novel, Clementine’s ability to focus on different things than other people will both get her in trouble and support her adventures as a young artist.

“And then Margaret went all historical, and the art teacher went all historical, and nobody could think of anything to do except the regular thing, which is: send me to the principal’s office.”

Early in the novel, readers are introduced to the idea that Clementine is often sent to the principal for her behavior. She is used to being blamed for other people being “historical,” or hysterical, about something that she doesn’t perceive as an issue. Pennypacker shows how ineffective this form of discipline is, at least for children like Clementine, through Clementine’s nonchalance. 

“If they had a special class for gifted kids in art, I would definitely be in it. But they don’t, which is also unfair—only for math and English.”

One of Clementine’s primary critiques of the education system is its lack of support for gifted art students. Pennypacker seems to be commenting about the value of arts education, especially for motivated or gifted young people.