So many of our EL kids have to cover for their parents. This story of a kid who covers for his disabled parents might resonate with them. AJ's PE teacher is realistically complex, seeming at first indifferent and mean, but really just making his best assumptions based on the information he has at the time. It's what we all do. When we know better, we do better. The stress and grief AJ feels after his grandfather's death seem very realistically portrayed.