The difference seems to be that kids are now vaguely aware that the larger culture contains a place for them if they are different. The anxiety stems from the mystery of how to find it. For weeks Joey had been trying to stir up the bravery to say something to him, until his math teacher asked him what was so distracting. New school, new town, new home, new league. Pick one, lady.
Tryouts start today.
Note how the narrative telegraphs Joey's thoughts, then relays, by contrast, what he says. Before I understood this, I was occasionally irritated at him for a smart mouth, which, of course, he doesn't have. Provenzano establishes Joey as a genuinely smart boy with a good upbringing. The testy sarcasm, jibes and innuendoes are within Joey's capacities. This is the ground for the daunting events which subsequently drive the plot.