An Honest Account
Because the story is told from Bobby's perspective, the writing is clear and told in a conversational tone. Bobby lays everything out on the table—what happens, his thoughts, and his feelings. He even describes what he's feeling when he's not too happy with his circumstances.
When he gets irritated with his dad for ignoring him, for instance, he thinks the following:
I feel my face getting hot, feel my jaw muscles tighten. I clench my teeth, biting back the anger. Because inside my head, I'm yelling at them, at both of them. Hey! Excuse me… WHO had the idea that the answer wasn't off in theoryville, that the place to begin was at the scene of the crime? What's that? That was MY idea? Well, what do you know! And guess what? If you'd talk and LISTEN, maybe I have other ideas too. (18.94)
Bobby doesn't shy away from showing the reader everything that happens—even when it doesn't show him in the most complimentary light. Although, in fairness, no light shows him for most of the book.