It Ain't Easy Being Green

A very blond, fair-skinned, socially awkward, ten-year-old, wheelchair bound Jeremy began his first day of the fourth grade in the new school like all other days – wishing kids would stop staring at him and treating him like a freak. He is shocked when he is befriended by a boy who stands out almost as much as Jeremy does for his dark skin, energetic personality, and height – he was a head taller than anyone else in his grade. The two unlikely friends discover that together they can face challenges, prejudices, and bullies and work hard to chase their dreams.

Emmitt’s abundant confidence begins to rub off on Jeremy just as Jeremy’s strategic brain help his friend modify his impulsive behavior. The thinker and the doer, as they thought of themselves, become inseparable through middle school when tragedy suddenly strikes. Emmitt, in a fit of anger on discovering both sets of parents were going to send him and Jeremy to separate summer camps, raced through a stop sign on his bike and is killed by a truck. The death of Emmitt sends Jeremy into a serious depression. He withdraws back into his shell, becoming even more reclusive than he had been before meeting Emmitt.

The following night Jeremy is awoken to find Emmitt standing at the foot of his bed. “Hey, bro, wassup?” says Emmitt as casually as before he died. Jeremy discovers that Emmitt can appear and disappear at will, walk through walls, and eventually experiences Emmitt inhabiting his body influencing his behavior, infusing him with his own friendly, exuberant, confident personality.

When it is time for Jeremy to enter high school Emmitt tells him that he must leave. For the first time since meeting Emmitt in the fourth grade, Jeremy is going to be on his own and a bitter-sweet departure ensues. Jeremy must decide whether he is going to revert to his nerdy, socially awkward self or is he going to hold on to the spirit of Emmitt.