All American Boys

Quinn is the oldest child of a single mother. His father, an American soldier, was killed in Afghanistan. Quinn is both a good student and a member of the basketball team. Since his father's death, Quinn takes on a major role in caring for his brother. As a result, he finds himself overwhelmed by the responsibility of keeping his grades up, being successful, and looking out for his brother.

Quinn describes his role as "the dutiful son, the All-American boy with an All-American fifteen-foot deadeye jump shot and an All-American 3.5 GPA" (27). Note.... this doesn't mean that he doesn't want to be a teenager..... to relax, escape from his responsibilities, to take time for himself..... to party.