59 pages • 1 hour read
Lisa GraffThe Thing About Georgie
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2007A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapters 16-20Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 16 Summary
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of bullying and ableism.
Georgie doesn’t plan to tell his parents that he’s playing Abraham Lincoln, but they find out anyway because Georgie must attend play rehearsals. Georgie’s parents think that the play will be good for him, but Georgie doesn’t know what that means. He isn’t comfortable playing the tallest president. He expects everyone, including the adults, to laugh as soon as he announces his name on stage.
Georgie attends his first swimming lesson. He’s already a good swimmer, but he wants to be even better. He likes swimming, and it is easy on his back. One of the indoor pools has been reserved for swimming lessons, to Georgie’s relief. He doesn’t want people to pay much attention to him. On his way out of the changing room, Georgie notices how big his mother’s stomach is getting.
Georgie likes his swimming teacher. She moves him to the other side of the pool when the kindergarten class stares at him. He has a great first session, but he notices Allison Housman and a friend heading for the free-swim pool. Georgie finishes his lesson, but he cannot concentrate on anything but Allison.
Georgie asks his mother if he can stay to swim for fun. Georgie’s mother has a piano lesson to teach, so Georgie convinces her that he can walk 12 blocks home by himself, as he’s done many times. His mother is reluctant because he’s always been with Andy before, but she relents.
Georgie approaches Allison. Her friend blurts that Georgie is “that kid.” Allison clarifies that she takes piano lessons with Georgie’s mother. Georgie stands there awkwardly for a moment and then excuses himself to go swimming. As he walks away, he hears Allison’s friend refer to him as “that kid” again. In the pool, Jeanie accosts Georgie and mocks his crush on Allison.
Chapter 17 Summary
Jeanie pesters Georgie the entire time he’s at the pool. She shouts at him, splashes him, and heckles him off the diving board in front of Allison. Georgie escapes Jeanie briefly when the lifeguard yells at her for running, but after some impressive butterfly stroke laps, Georgie realizes that Allison has left.
Georgie quickly changes clothes and starts walking home. He’s still a little wet, and the day grows colder. Jeanie catches him in the parking lot and asks where he’s going. Georgie says that he’s going home. Jeanie says that she’s also going home and tells Georgie not to follow her. Georgie turns around and insists that Jeanie not follow him either. Jeanie is still in her swimsuit, without a towel or change of clothes. She follows Georgie.
They pass Andy’s house, and Georgie notices that Andy’s bike is gone. He assumes that Andy is with Russ. Jeanie badgers Georgie about what he’s looking at but figures out on her own that they’re in front of Andy’s house. Jeanie interrogates Georgie about why he doesn’t hang out with Andy. She suggests that they break Andy’s windows since he stopped being Georgie’s friend. She picks up a rock. Georgie says no and calls her “Jeanie the Meanie.” Jeanie throws the rock at Georgie and demands that he never call her that.
Nonna Rosa emerges to break up the fight. She scolds “Giorgino,” but she only speaks Italian, so Georgie doesn’t know what else she says. She goes back inside. Jeanie says that they should flee before she calls the police, but Georgie knows he did nothing wrong. Nonna Rosa returns wearing her coat and slippers and holding her keys. Georgie thinks that she’s offering to drive them home.
Georgie sits up front, and Jeanie climbs in the back, her demeanor cheery again. She asks about Nonna Rosa’s language and then imitates an Italian opera singer, making Nonna smile. Georgie realizes that they’ve passed his house. He realizes that she’s driving them to Russ’s house, having mistaken them for Andy’s friends. Georgie doesn’t think there is anything worse than being stuck in the car with Jeanie, heading to Russ’s house.
Chapter 18 Summary
Georgie worries about what will happen when they arrive at Russ’s house with Andy’s grandmother and the meanest girl in school, who is still in her bathing suit. He dreads having to ask to use Russ’s phone to call his parents.
Time passes, and Nonna Rosa seems confused. Georgie realizes that they are lost. He asks Nonna Rosa if they’re lost, but she doesn’t understand, so he communicates the concept with her by showing her a map and dragging his finger off the edge, repeating “lost.” Nonna Rosa confirms that they are lost. Trees and dirt surround them; there are no buildings in sight. Georgie tries to use the map he found but realizes that it’s for a different state entirely.
Jeanie is scared and shivering in the back seat. Georgie feels sorry for her. He tells her that they are lost. Jeanie says that she hates him and thinks they’ll never get home. Georgie tries to calm her down and recruit her help, but Jeanie reiterates that she hates him and punches his chair.
Nonna Rosa pulls over and scolds Jeanie. Georgie climbs out of the car, unable to be around Jeanie any longer. He recalls a convenience store a little way back and starts walking there in search of a pay phone. Nonna Rosa drives and calls after him, but he doesn’t stop.
The convenience store is closed, but there is an operational pay phone outside. Georgie realizes that he can’t reach the phone, and there is nothing for him to stand on. He tries to recruit Jeanie’s help, but she’s whimpering and panicking. Georgie tries jumping to reach the phone but hurts himself. Georgie uses gestures to communicate with Nonna Rosa, who understands his needs and helps him call home. Georgie’s mother answers, to Georgie’s relief.
Chapter 19 Summary
Georgie’s mother drives Georgie and Jeanie home. Nonna Rosa drives behind them. Georgie’s mother asks if Jeanie has any other clothes, but she forgot her clothes in her father’s car when she got to the pool. Georgie’s mother has Jeanie sit in the front so that she can be near the heater. Georgie wishes that his mother wouldn’t be so nice to Jeanie. Georgie’s mother asks Georgie why he didn’t give his towel to Jeanie, and Jeanie replies that Georgie hates her. Georgie’s mother reassures Jeanie, but Jeanie continues, saying that she’s been trying to be Georgie’s friend for a long time. Georgie tries to interject, but Jeanie adds that Georgie calls her “Jeanie the Meanie” even though she hates it. Georgie looks away and says that he doesn’t remember when his mother asks if that’s true.
Jeanie asks Georgie’s mother about her pregnancy, adding that she wants to be an obstetrician. Georgie cannot stand to hear them talk about Baby Godzilla. Jeanie wonders aloud if the baby will be like Georgie, but Georgie cuts her off, saying that they’re at her house. Jeanie corrects him, as they still have a way to go.
Georgie’s mother drops Jeanie off, and Jeanie thanks her for the ride. Jeanie says bye to Georgie, calling him “George Washington.” Georgie’s mother remarks that Jeanie seems like a nice girl. Georgie isn’t paying attention. He’s focused on his mother’s belly. He feels like there’s something he needs to ask, but he can’t assemble the words.
Chapter 20 Summary
On Sunday, Andy visits Georgie’s house. He comments on Georgie’s new bike, which Georgie hasn’t ridden yet. Georgie wants to say he’s sorry. Even though he’s not completely over his anger, he still wants to be friends again. Instead, he invites Andy to stay for tuna casserole. Georgie and Andy sit in silence in his room for a while before Georgie suggests that they help his mother with dinner.
The boys begin talking more easily as they chop vegetables. Andy tells a story about Nonna Rosa, and Georgie tells Andy about his swimming lessons. Over dinner, Georgie asks when Andy’s family is moving. Andy explains that his parents have decided to just add a room to their current house so that Nonna Rosa can have her own room. While Georgie’s father talks about building codes, Andy and Georgie exchange small smiles.
Georgie and Andy play Lava Wars in the guest room after dinner. Georgie knows that the room will belong to the baby soon, so they need to enjoy it while they can. Andy tells Georgie that he tried to play Lava Wars with Russ, but Russ was bad at it. Andy adds that Russ can’t make up songs like Georgie can either. It’s nice for Georgie to hear that there are things Andy missed about him. Andy still thinks that Georgie and Russ would make good friends. Georgie and Andy apologize to each other.
While waiting for Andy’s mother to pick him up, Andy and Georgie examine Georgie’s new bike. Andy says that it’s nicer than his and invites Georgie to join him and Russ on their bikes next weekend. Georgie agrees.
Nonna Rosa arrives with Andy’s mother, who translates for Nonna Rosa. She’s sorry about getting lost and thankful to Georgie for saving the day. Nonna Rosa relates to Georgie, as they are both different but must adapt to those differences to get by. Inspired by Georgie fighting his own battles, Nonna Rosa has decided to enroll in English classes. Andy’s mother hugs Georgie and thanks him for his help.
Georgie goes inside and tells his father that he’s ready to learn to ride his bike. He wants to be excellent at it by the time he joins Andy and Russ next week.
Chapters 16-20 Analysis
The author continues to develop the theme of The Complex Nature of Individuals through Georgie and Jeanie’s interactions. Throughout Chapter 17, Jeanie’s attention is trained on Georgie, making it harder for him to try to impress Allison, should she be looking his way. Jeanie’s antagonizing persists as Georgie walks home, escalating the tension between the characters; this leads to their altercation on Andy’s front lawn. An important moment in this scene is Jeanie’s reaction to Georgie calling her “Jeanie the Meanie.” Jeanie throws a rock at Georgie and cries, “Don’t ever call me that!” (150), suggesting that Georgie struck a nerve with the nickname. Chapter 19 sheds more light on Jeanie’s internal world when she talks to Georgie’s mother about how Georgie treats her. Jeanie says that she has been attempting to befriend Georgie for a long time but that he hates her. She goes on to say, “[H]e calls me names. He calls me Jeanie the Meanie, even though I hate that” (166). This glimpse into Jeanie’s perspective on her dynamic with Georgie develops the idea that friendship looks a lot different to Jeanie than it does to Georgie. This relates to Jeanie’s home life, where all her interactions with her brothers resemble more mean-spirited versions of her interactions with Georgie, suggesting that Jeanie interacts with Georgie in the only way she knows how. While this looks like bullying to Georgie, Jeanie clarifies in this scene that she genuinely seeks Georgie’s friendship.
When Nonna Rosa intervenes in Georgie and Jeanie’s fight at the end of Chapter 17, Georgie’s conflict shifts from worrying about Jeanie to worrying about what will happen when they mistakenly arrive at Russ’s house. Georgie’s stress about seeing Andy and Russ together is quickly replaced by anxiety that Nonna Rosa has gotten them lost. With Nonna Rosa’s language barrier and Jeanie offering no help, Georgie must save the day using his talents. Georgie’s attention to detail and resourcefulness lead to Nonna Rosa helping Georgie make a phone call home. In Chapter 20, Andy’s mother recognizes Georgie’s talents when she thanks him for saving the day. Andy’s mother also reveals that Nonna Rosa will start taking English lessons because “if [he] could fight [his] battles, she could too” (177). Nonna Rosa’s decision to take English lessons at 65 years old develops the theme of Going Outside One’s Comfort Zone. This underscores how Georgie’s ability to overcome obstacles inspires Nonna Rosa.
The author emphasizes Georgie’s talents in these chapters. Chapter 16 highlights how Georgie is a strong swimmer who sometimes beats Andy when they race while swimming. When trying to impress Allison in Chapter 17, Georgie swims laps of the butterfly stroke quickly. The emphasis on Georgie’s athleticism and the pride he takes in his swimming contrasts with the insecurities that he has felt throughout the novel until this point. Georgie’s talents come up again when he is rekindling his friendship with Andy. Andy tells Georgie that Russ “stinks at [Lava Wars]” and that Russ is “not very good at making up songs either” (175). Georgie recognizes that there are things “Andy might miss about him” (175). The emphasis on Georgie’s swimming prowess, dexterity during Lava Wars, and songwriting ability further develops the theme of the complex nature of individuals, as Georgie has talents that others may not expect of him. For example, Allison’s friend refers to Georgie as “that kid,” both to Allison and to Georgie’s face. This moment highlights the publicity that comes with having a visible disability in a small community—people whom Georgie hasn’t met know about him and have their ideas about him, including the prejudiced beliefs that Allison’s friend expresses here. Additionally, the rekindling of Georgie and Andy’s friendship develops the theme of Prevailing Through the Hardships of Friendship. The information that Andy’s family won’t be moving and that Andy will soon have his own room symbolizes this reunification.
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By Lisa Graff
