The Worst Class Trip Ever

Matt’s abduction marks a shift in the tone and pace of the story. Narrative tension increases and the stakes are heightened, which takes the novel from mere realistic fiction toward the crime and adventure genre. Wyatt’s narration, although still humorous, also becomes more dramatic as he worries about his friends’ safety, and his descriptions strike a balance between his adolescent mindset and the seriousness of the situation. Wyatt states: “I don’t really remember anything about [visiting the National Archives], because the whole time I was thinking about Matt. I kept wondering whether he was okay, and what I should be doing” (86). Thus, the narration alternates between tension and comedy in order to build suspense and emotional engagement, and Barry also employs strategic repetition to imbue the narrative with a paradoxical sense of both urgency and humor. For example, when Suzana warns Wyatt against calling the police because the kidnappers may kill Matt in retaliation, he comments, “When she said ‘kill’ it felt like somebody kicked me in the stomach” (85). The phrase depicts his strong fear and anxiety over his best friend’s compromised safety, but Barry’s choice of wording also introduces an element of hyperbole that draws attention to Wyatt’s adolescent perspective. Similarly, when Suzana also warns him against calling Matt’s parents, Wyatt responds with the same phrase: “Another kick to my stomach” (85). Finally, when Wyatt feels guilty about unsuccessfully tricking Woltar and Lemi, the pattern concludes with some comic relief as he thinks, “Another kick. I was going to need a new stomach” (85).

The Dynamics of Friendship are more deeply explored in this section, for in addition to Suzana, who has recently joined the group, Cameron and Victor now commit themselves to aid Wyatt’s mission. Although Wyatt initially makes his distaste for Cameron clear, the dynamics of their relationship are reminiscent of Wyatt and Matt’s friendship, foreshadowing Cameron’s role as the comic relief of the group. Indeed, both he and Matt fill this role due to their impulsivity and humorous comments, and Cameron therefore acts almost as a replacement in Matt’s absence. However, when Wyatt compares Cameron unfavorably to his best friend, this negative view suggests that he misses Matt and is worried for his friend’s safety. Incidentally, the parallels between Matt and Cameron obliquely foreshadow the moment in which they accidentally switch places as Woltar and Lemi’s hostages. Victor, however, serves a different narrative role. His research skills and his father, who works in intelligence analysis, provide necessary background information on Gadakistani politics and military technology. As the events of the novel unfold, the children’s shifting relationships explore The Dynamics of Friendship further as they learn to face danger together.

In the midst of these antics, The Humorous Effects of Misdirection and Misunderstandings are also developed further. When Victor summarizes what the children know about the situation so far, he claims that “what we have is guys who belong to a group fighting against an ally of the United States, and they have a missile-jamming device they’re not supposed to have, and they’re here in Washington poking around the White House” (93). Ironically, the facts as Wyatt and his friends know them are objectively true. However, their interpretation of those facts is based on their personal biases, which have been formed by an unfortunate combination of movie tropes and conspiracy theories. This moment therefore exemplifies some of the causes of misunderstandings, and as Barry inserts deliberate red herrings into the narrative, the children’s assumptions lead them on an adventurous path toward an inevitable plot twist.