Characterization

Characterization is interesting in this novel because the protagonist, "A", doesn't have a permanent body. But every day when "A" wakes up, Levithan gives an explanation of each the new body and an accurate prognosis of each persons life that "A" is in. "A" can tell very much about the person's body he's in that day, just by what their room looks like. Everyone "A" is inside of is 16 years old until one of them has a birthday, then he will be in a 17 year olds body until someone turns 18. One day, he wakes up as a girl with a fervent hangover; another day he wakes up as a boy so overweight that he can barely fit inside his car. The outward appearances of "A's" body from day to day vary from straight boys, gay girls, 16 year olds of different races, body shapes, sizes, conditions, and genders.

"My mind is thoroughly wrung out, but I can tell Nathan Darby has gotten a good nights sleep. Nathan is a good guy. Everything in his room is in order.  Even though it's only Saturday morning, he's already done his homework for the weekend. He's set his alarm for eight o'clock, not wanting the day to go to waste. He was probably in bed by ten." (66)

Characterization from day to day in this novel does not go far beyond the above example, but it's as much as "A" needs to know about the person for the day, until he's in a new body.