Every Last Word

The myriad ways in which teenagers can be cruel—and, relatedly, the devastating consequences of bullying—is a theme throughout Every Last Word. There are two major examples of bullying in the book: first, with AJ (Andrew) Olsen, and second with Caroline Madsen.

The narrative involving AJ shows a positive outcome; his story is one of perseverance and surviving bullying. With AJ, then Andrew, the bullying that the Crazy Eights inflicted upon him in fourth grade was so severe he was forced to transfer schools, but by the time he reaches high school, he has grown into a relatively well-adjusted teenager, made stronger by the adversity. Even though Samantha blocked out most of the memories of bullying AJ, when Kaitlyn reminds her of what they did, the memories come rushing back: “I can even picture his face when he saw us coming, and I remember how it made me feel guilty, but not guilty enough to stop, because it also made me feel powerful in a weird way. And there was always a look of approval on Kaitlyn’s face” (89). Of course, as the reader sees via the love plot between him and Samantha, AJ has come a long way since his stutter.