Count Me In

Karina’s classmate and neighbor, Chris Daniels is one of the novel’s two main characters. The chapters that are titled with his first name are written from his first-person point of view. Like Karina, Chris feels nervous about what seventh grade will bring. His older brother Matt has recently left home for college, leaving Chris alone with his parents. Meanwhile, Chris is struggling to do well in school and to earn the grades he needs in order to continue playing basketball. Chris also worries that his relationships with his basketball teammates and his other peers aren’t encouraging him to be the person he wants to be. In particular, he still feels guilty for laughing along when his teammate Quinn bullied Karina the year before. Chris did later stand up for and defend Karina against the bullies, but he doesn’t think that he can “reach across the aisle and tell her that” a year later (13). Throughout the novel, Chris asks his brother for advice on these social and academic situations. With Matt’s listening ear and encouragement, Chris eventually learns that he must stand up for what’s right even if it means losing the acceptance of some of his peers.

Chris’s friendships with Mr. C and Karina teach him the importance of community. When Mr. C starts tutoring Chris, Chris loves that Mr. C “is a genius at teaching math” (43), and enjoys talking to him about basketball and hearing stories about Mr. C’s past. Over time, this relationship helps Chris get to know Karina, too. Chris tries to show Karina kindness to make up for laughing at her the year before, and they discuss basketball and photography. As they spend more time with one another after school, on the bus, and in one another’s yards, Chris and Karina put their differences behind them.

This means that when Chris, Karina, and Mr. C experience the racist attack, Chris can be there for Karina. The violent incident shows Chris the prejudice that families from marginalized backgrounds like the Chopras face every day. Instead of cowering and backing away from the Chopras after the attack, Chris makes personal sacrifices to support them: He visits the recovering Mr. C despite being scared of hospitals, sits next to Karina on the school bus, posts comments on her social media, and encourages her when she’s feeling sad or defeated. Ultimately, Chris proves himself capable of growth. He matures and learns to put love and kindness before popularity and acceptance. He feels proud to know Karina and Mr. C and learns from their resilience and self-sacrifice, too.

Karina’s grandfather Shiv Chopra goes by several names in the novel. Karina refers to Shiv as Papa, while Chris calls him Mr. C. For the sake of clarity, this character entry refers to him by his first name.

Shiv is an elderly man who has spent most of his life living in California. After his wife died sometime before the start of the novel, Karina’s parents convinced him to come and live with them in Texas by telling him they needed his “help in raising Karina” (14). Shiv has a special bond with Karina and wants to do anything in his power to support and love his granddaughter. Karina is glad that he’s coming to live with her family because Shiv’s presence will mean she can spend more time at home when her parents are working. However, Shiv’s move to the Chopra home also creates upheaval. Shiv likes to stay busy, so he fills his free time with odd chores around the house, frustrating Jay and Trisha when he doesn’t consult them before making home improvements. Nevertheless, Shiv’s behavior is clearly a sign of his love. His actions also illustrate his desire to be needed and to help his family.

Shiv becomes an important force for change in Karina and Chris’s lives. When Shiv volunteers as a math tutor at Spring Hill Middle School, he develops a connection with Chris. He sees the good in Chris and never gives up on him even when Chris feels discouraged or helpless. Shiv also supports Karina’s photography hobby, encouraging her artistic expression. Shiv assures Chris that he’ll eventually ace his math class and assures Karina that she’ll win the local photography contest. Shiv maintains this positive influence even after the attack; in the hospital, after surgery, and in rehab, he jokes with the nurses and with his family. His refusal to give in reminds Karina and Chris that although they’ve experienced violence and hatred, they can’t yield to adversity.

As a first-generation Indian American who has lived in the United States since immigrating roughly 50 years prior, Shiv sees the US as his home. Shiv believes in and promotes the fundamental American ideal of equality despite the injustice he’s experienced. He passes these beliefs to Karina and Chris. His strength, resilience, forgiveness, and positivity encourage Karina and Chris to embrace the same values.