Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of bullying.

Standing up to negative judgment and asserting freedom from it requires courage and support, and Rex must find both of these before he can stand up to bullies. He experiences teasing and mockery from many peers but has two main bullies in his life. The first is Victor, a student at school who goes out of his way to shame, stereotype, and harass people he doesn’t like or that he feels he can make feel inferior. The second bully in Rex’s life is his biological father. Whenever Rex talks to him, his father finds a way to make him feel insignificant or inferior. During the school year, several experiences help Rex build the courage to stand up to both of these figures.

Rex is bullied from his first day of middle school, when people make fun of him for eating cafeteria food or being on the free lunch program. In addition, Rex observes Victor tossing food at a boy wearing glasses, calling him a nerd. The next day, Victor starts making fun of the same boy (