MAIN THEEMS

GRIEF: Charlie's Dad is with him in spirit throughout this story. He is there in these inspirational boots Charlie runs in. Charlie also wears the boots Squizzy bought for him, but when Charlie really grows up he goes back to wearing the boots he could never bring himself to throw away. Charlie often recalls his father's advice, e.g. about the true test of character and to find himself a girl who can dance. After his father's death, Charlie got so confused sometimes he didn't know who it was he was supposed to be. He really hasn't had time to grieve as he has been so busy growing up and trying to support his mother, he hasn't really been able to talk about his father's death despite the many well-wishers who would help him, only Nostrils comes close to doing so.

FRIENDSHIP: There are several critical moments in Charlie's friendship with Nostrils when Charlie's behaviour is put under the spotlight. Their friendship began with a lie, and is brought to crisis point when Charlie leaves Nostrils to be beaten up by Barlow.

CHANCE: There are a number of crucial moments when things hang in the balance for Charlie, e.g. When Nostrils slips running away from Barlow, and when Squizzy nearly shoots Charlie, at this point Charlie decides its time to quit.