The Secret Battle of Evan Pao

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

Twelve-year-old Evan Pao travels with his mother, Elaine, and his 15-year-old sister, Celeste, across the United States from Schuyler, California, to Haddington, Virginia. The family is relocating after a troubling incident involving Evan’s father, Michael. During a stop for gas, a mechanic tries to convince Elaine that their expensive Mercedes needs repairs. Elaine hesitates, but Evan quietly assures her the mechanic is lying. She trusts him, and they leave without further issues.

Evan reflects on his unique “talent” for detecting untruths. He first noticed the ability when he played baseball. His coach often told the team to do their best, but Evan sensed the coach did not mean it. Evan feels dizzy and sick when someone’s words do not match their emotions. As a younger child, this mismatch even made him throw up, leading to Evan’s nickname, “Mr. Sensitive.” Over time, Evan learned to manage these sensations better and now sees them as warnings. Evan wonders why he never realized his father was lying to them.