Part 2 of If I Ever Get Out of Here ends on an ominous note: after boycotting school for a few days, to protest the lack of support that he is receiving as he endures Evan Reiniger's bullying and abuse, Lewis has come up with a new plan. He has gone to a spot in the woods where some baseball bats have been stowed "close to the border . . . in case of territorial invasion" (233). Lewis unwraps one of the bats and says that he has "decided to go back to school. It was time for a new lesson, a chat in the language of violence" (233).
In your Notebook, please contemplate the significance of this apparent turning point in Lewis's efforts to deal with Evan. What do you think about where this story appears to be headed? Lewis has been encouraged by a number of people to "fight back" or to "stick up for himself" against Evan, but he always points out that Evan is a lot bigger and stronger than he is. How do you feel about Lewis, as he stands there with the baseball bat in hand, planning to return to school for a "new lesson"? Does this seem like a good idea? Are you happy to see him rising in resistance, or are you concerned about this apparent escalation of hostilities? If you could speak with Lewis at this point, what would you say to him?
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