Character Analysis: Numbers By Rachel Ward

“Running away from your problems is a race you’ll never win.” -Unknown. Running away from a problem in one's life is never the correct solution, and often times, running away from a problem can only make it worse. In the beginning of the story, Jem explains her background to Spider, how she has moved about through many foster homes. This explanation helps Spider understand the reason Jem is such a closed book. Throughout the book Numbers, by Rachel Ward, Jem changes her attitude towards social interactions, learns how to open herself up during her interactions with other characters, and helps teach the reader that it is best to deal with problems sooner rather than later. Throughout the story, Jem was able to change how she interacts with

This is shown in the first chapter as Spider began talking with Jem. “People just don’t seem to get me. Don't understand that I need my space. Always telling me what to do. They think rules and routine and clean hands and minding your p’s and q’s will make everything all right. They haven’t got a clue” (Pg. 6). Jem's social interactions are mainly brief conversations with her peers at school, but her social skills are anything but smooth. She is always a closed book around everyone, but the longer she is with Spider, the easier it is for her to open up to him. Near the end of the book, Jem and a new character Britney, get the chance to talk about Jem’s situation alone. The time Jem spent with Spider allowed her to be more open to others “What about your brother?’ ‘Oh . . . no. He died last year” (Pg. 210). Jem asking Britney about her brother helps show how Jem’s time with Spider changed the way Jem interacted with other characters. Of course, all of Jem”s changes in the book came about after her and Spider were on the run, and some of the run came back to hurt both Jem and