The Freak Observer is a book about coping with tragedy and finding a way to move past it. The main character, Loa is 16 years old and had to deal with several tragedies over the last few years. The book begins with her coping with the death of her friend, Esther. Loa was there when Esther died and has a hard time moving past this incident. After Esther's death, Loa is given an extra credit project in her physics class to make up points. She chooses The Freak Observer (Boltzmann Brain) and the book often refers back to this assignment. Throughout the book Loa also explains the tragedy that occurred in her own family. Her younger sister, Asta, had Rett Syndrome and had to be constantly cared for by each member of the family. Asta becomes the center of the family. Once she dies the family falls apart as each of them tries to find a way to cope and move past this death. Loa has PTSD and cannot sleep. When she does she has awful nightmares and dreams of the Bony Guy (death). She tries to constantly stay awake so that she does not have nightmares. She has a relationship with her debate partner, Corey, who suddenly has to move to Europe. He periodically sends her postcards from abroad. Her new friendship with Jack helps her move on.
Metafiction is present in this book through the opening page to each chapter. A physics theory typically opens the chapter that makes the reader wonder how the chapter will tie in with the theory. The book also provokes the question about whether Loa will be alright and be able to cope with her life. In the end, the reader gets to see a small change in Loa that gives a glimmer of hope that she will be OK.
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