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The second quarter of OLD SCHOOL (continued)

In Dexter’s chapter where he learns he’s the main story of the next Eyeball, I thought the “saving Fifi” callout might be a dream Dexter was having. I love how over-the-top Gianna’s lede is, and also Dexter’s accusation that “she doesn’t have the decency to look ashamed.”

Chapter 12 was the “passionate guidance counselor” payoff I was waiting for since first meeting Ms. Napier early in the book. Her pride that students might be taking an interest in school affairs! Her desire for students to feel some school spirit! And for anyone who sees shades of SCHOOLED in OLD SCHOOL, I can now say with certainty there’s some DON’T CARE HIGH as well. Not just the bleeding heart guidance counselor, but also the school newspaper that creates a hero of a student who prefers anonymity.

The whole create-a-code scheme is the most unexpected part of this story and I love it, so Dex’s introduction of the GX-4210 transmitter (anyone have theories on symbolism in that model designation?) and his Batman test message are making me excited to see where this goes. Can Dex actually create an unbreakable code?

“Dexter gets exposed to hydrochloric acid and turns into a normal-looking ‘tween” is a great origin story! And Jackson Sharpe needs to work on his sabotage. After the “special project” letter and the science lab partner treachery, it seems Jackson’s efforts always backfire. (DON’T CARE HIGH also has an important “science lab partners” relationship!)

“I don’t do zucchini.”  🥚

The pocketknife showdown finishes off the first half of the book and introduces a huge new problem for Dex!