Chapter 37 Summary: The Shooting Star and Unfinished Business

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Chapter 37 opens with Finn watching a shooting star streak across the night sky. He reflects that, like the meteoroid, his life burned briefly—thirteen years—and he wishes he had left a more dazzling trail. Christopher had explained that shooting stars are really meteoroids, and Finn feels similarly: he was here, then gone, but not completely. As he wonders why he is still lingering, a voice behind him says it is because of unfinished business. Startled, he turns to find Isabella, who jokingly spooks him.

They sit together on the rocks, and Finn admits he never realized how beautiful the night is. He asks Isabella whether they might get a do-over—if their souls could return in another body. She acknowledges that some religions speak of reincarnation and agrees that a second chance would be nice. Finn says he would come back as a risk-taker like his friend Mickey, though he would skip the hairnet. Isabella clarifies she would put herself out there by approaching strangers in the cafeteria and trying to make friends the way Finn’s nerd group did. Finn explains that they were just nerds nobody else wanted, so they hung out together; friends are people you can be your nerdy self around.

Surprised, Isabella asks if Mickey is a nerd. Finn says Mickey used to be the nerdiest of all. Then Isabella tells Finn that, for what it’s worth, she thinks he is way cooler than Mickey. Finn jokes it must be because he is dead and therefore “cold.” She insists she is serious: she thinks he is really nice and cool.

Key Events

Finn observes a shooting star and compares it to his own brief life.
Isabella startles Finn and mentions unfinished business.
The two discuss reincarnation and what they would do differently.
Finn expresses a wish to be a risk-taker like Mickey.
Isabella reveals her own desire to be more outgoing and make friends.
Isabella calls Finn “cooler than Mickey,” surprising him.
The chapter ends with Isabella’s sincere compliment.

Character Development

Finn: Shows regret about not living more boldly, but also begins to accept his identity as a nerd. He values the friendship group he had, where everyone could be themselves. Isabella’s compliment subtly shifts his self-perception.
Isabella: Opens up about her own regrets—specifically, her shyness in life. Her willingness to sit with Finn and share vulnerabilities deepens their connection. She demonstrates empathy by seeing Finn’s worth beyond his self-deprecation.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Shooting star as metaphor: The fleeting, bright life of a meteoroid mirrors Finn’s short existence and his yearning for a more impactful legacy.
Unfinished business: The chapter reinforces the central idea that Finn remains a ghost because he has unresolved matters—though his conversation with Isabella suggests emotional closure may be part of it.
Reincarnation and do-overs: Both characters wish for a second chance, highlighting their dissatisfaction with the lives they lived and their desire to be braver or more sociable.
Friendship and authenticity: Finn’s definition of friends as people you can be your nerdy self around underscores the value of genuine relationships.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens the bond between Finn and Isabella and provides insight into both characters’ regrets. It moves Finn closer to accepting his own worth, despite his earlier self-criticism. The conversation about reincarnation sets up possible resolutions for Finn’s unfinished business and reinforces the novel’s exploration of mortality and personal growth. By the end, Finn’s perspective on himself begins to shift, thanks to Isabella’s honesty.

Study Questions

Why does Finn compare himself to a shooting star, and what does that reveal about his feelings at this point in the story?
Answer: Finn feels that his life was brief and not particularly remarkable—like a meteoroid that burns up quickly. He wishes he had “burned more brightly,” indicating regret that he did not live more boldly or leave a lasting impression.
How does Isabella’s view of Finn differ from Finn’s view of himself?
Answer: Isabella sees Finn as cool, nice, and genuinely impressive, whereas Finn sees himself as a nerd who wishes he were more like the risk-taking Mickey. Her compliment challenges his self-image and suggests he has qualities he overlooks.
What does the conversation about reincarnation and do-overs reveal about each character’s regrets?
Answer: Finn regrets not taking risks; he wishes he could be adventurous like Mickey. Isabella regrets not being outgoing and making friends. Both long for a chance to be braver in social situations, showing they felt constrained by their earlier personalities.