Guide Mentor

Character Role Analysis

Coach Al Gratz

At the beginning of the book, Coach Gratz looks like a pretty good contender for the role of antagonist. He's not shy about his contempt for the Madmen and even wants to get Karl, whose father was his best friend, out of the group.

By the conclusion, though, Gratz has stepped up to help Karl find a solution to the insanity at home with his mom. He takes Karl to get a bank account, masquerading as his "Uncle Al," and then takes him for a heartfelt walk on a nearby college campus where they discuss Karl's dad, the Madmen, and the issues that have distanced them. We don't know where these characters head once the book ends, but we're pretty sure Gratz is here to stay as the main man in Karl's life.