Page 34: The character (Arnold) acts this way because this is his first time he has ever received a compliment. No one had ever said anything so incredibly nice to him. Being told that he is special makes him feel empowered like someone notice him. The teacher told him that he deserves the world, and ask Arnold to say it outloud, but years of feeling less than he is makes him break down in tears. He is not used to hearing these kind words about himself. Arnold is afraid to say he deserves the world because he doesn't think he deserves the world.
Page 44: The character (Rowdy) acts this way because he is surprised that he is able to cry when he has never done so before. Him crying shows a sign of weakness in the place where being weak is not
Page 44: The character (Rowdy) acts this way because he is surprised that he is able to cry when he has never done so before. Him crying shows a sign of weakness in the place where being weak is not