Chapter 66 Summary and Analysis

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

⚠️ This summary and analysis contains details from Chapter 66 of New from Here. If you haven't read the chapter yet, you may want to do so first.

Summary

On a Sunday, Knox, Lea, and Bowen persuade their mother to drop them off at the Oakland Public Library, which sits directly across the street from Matthew's office. Their plan is to buy rubbing alcohol from Matthew so they can make homemade hand sanitizer. As Mom pulls into the library, she mentions that she has a job interview in New York on Tuesday and needs to run errands before her flight. Lea immediately clutches her seat belt, worried about her mother traveling so far. Mom tries to comfort her with a Lion King analogy, comparing herself to a lioness who must hunt to feed her cubs. Lea plays along, pretending to be Nala and asking for zebra, but the underlying anxiety remains. Knox notices his sister's unease and places a hand on her shoulder, hoping the hand sanitizer project will lift their spirits.

The siblings cross the street and find Matthew's office tucked behind a Safeway supermarket. Inside, Matthew is wearing a full hazmat suit and a surgical mask, moving boxes. Knox is surprised, noting that the virus hasn't officially been declared a pandemic yet. Matthew counters that with 87,000 cases worldwide, it's only a matter of time before it reaches the US. He warns that it's arrogant to think otherwise. Knox shivers at the thought, realizing that if Matthew is right, neither of his parents should be flying.

Knox tells Matthew about their father's upcoming flight from Hong Kong and their mother's trip to New York. Matthew advises that the mother will likely be okay, but the father's long-haul international flight is risky. He suggests a full-body costume suit as a makeshift protective layer. Bowen immediately searches online and finds an inflatable dinosaur suit. The idea of their dad wearing a T-rex suit on a plane makes Knox burst out laughing, though he points out the impracticality of the tail. Matthew sells them the rubbing alcohol for ten dollars from their garage sale money, and as they leave, he gives them a box of surgical masks for free, saying that people are worth more than liquid gold.

Back at the library, Bowen notices a homeless man picking through recycling. He pulls a mask from the box and, instead of keeping it for himself, suggests giving it to the man. Knox feels proud of his brother. That day, the siblings distribute masks to homeless people in the library parking lot, finding joy in giving away something so precious, especially knowing they were once in similar circumstances.

Key Events

The siblings convince Mom to drop them at the library so they can visit Matthew's office.
Mom reveals her Tuesday flight to New York for a job interview, causing Lea to worry.
Mom uses a Lion King analogy to explain her need to travel, but the children remain uneasy.
At Matthew's office, they find him in a hazmat suit; he predicts the virus will reach the US.
Matthew advises that Dad should wear a costume suit for his long-haul flight; Bowen finds a dinosaur suit online.
The siblings buy rubbing alcohol for ten dollars, and Matthew gives them a box of surgical masks for free.
Bowen gives a mask to a homeless man, and the siblings distribute masks to homeless people in the library parking lot.

Character Development

Knox shows growing maturity and protectiveness. He notices Lea's anxiety and tries to comfort her, and he takes the lead in coordinating the hand sanitizer mission. His initial laughter at the dinosaur suit gives way to practical concern, showing his ability to balance humor and responsibility.
Bowen demonstrates remarkable generosity and empathy. He is speechless when Matthew gives them the masks, and he immediately thinks of the homeless man, choosing to give away something he knows is valuable. This act reflects his growth from a boy focused on material concerns to someone who prioritizes others' needs.
Lea reveals her vulnerability and fear of separation. Her reaction to Mom's trip shows how the pandemic has heightened her anxiety about family safety. Her willingness to play along with the Lion King analogy shows her desire to be brave, even when she's scared.
Mom is portrayed as a caring but practical parent. She tries to reassure her children with a familiar story, but her own worry is hinted at when she shoots Knox an alarmed look after his awkward comment about getting alcohol. Her decision to travel for the interview underscores the financial pressures the family faces.
Matthew emerges as a wise and generous figure. He is prepared for the worst, but he also shows compassion by giving away masks for free. His prediction about the pandemic's spread adds a sense of urgency to the family's preparations.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Parental sacrifice: Mom's willingness to fly to New York for a job interview, despite the risk, highlights the lengths parents go to provide for their children. The Lion King analogy reinforces this theme, framing her travel as a necessary hunt.
Pandemic inevitability: Matthew's insistence that the virus will reach the US serves as a turning point. It shifts the family's mindset from hope to preparation, symbolizing the broader societal awakening to the coming crisis.
Liquid gold: The surgical masks are repeatedly described as more valuable than liquid gold. This symbol emphasizes the scarcity of protective equipment and the moral choice to give it away. Matthew's statement that people are worth more than liquid gold, and the siblings' subsequent distribution of masks, underscores the theme of generosity over hoarding.
Humor as coping: The dinosaur suit provides a moment of levity in an otherwise tense situation. Knox's laughter and the absurd image of Dad in a T-rex suit allow the family to momentarily escape their fears, showing how humor helps them process anxiety.
Sibling cooperation: The three children work together seamlessly—Knox leads, Bowen researches, and Lea provides emotional support. Their collective effort to protect their parents and help others demonstrates their unity.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter marks a critical shift in the family's awareness of the pandemic's severity. Matthew's blunt prediction forces Knox to confront the reality that his parents' travel plans are dangerous, setting up future conflicts and decisions. The chapter also establishes the family's proactive approach to safety, as they begin to gather supplies and consider protective measures. More importantly, it showcases the siblings' moral growth, particularly Bowen's act of giving masks to the homeless. This moment of generosity ties back to the family's own past struggles and reinforces the novel's themes of empathy and community. The chapter also deepens the bond between the siblings and introduces Matthew as a trusted ally, whose advice will likely influence their actions in the coming chapters.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Mom use the Lion King analogy, and how does it affect Lea?

Mom uses the analogy to explain her need to travel for work, comparing herself to a lioness hunting for her cubs. It helps Lea momentarily engage with the idea by pretending to be Nala, but it doesn't fully ease her worry. The analogy shows Mom's attempt to make a scary situation more relatable, but it also highlights the children's underlying fear of separation during a dangerous time.

What does Matthew's prediction about the virus reveal about his character, and how does it influence Knox?

Matthew's prediction—that the virus will inevitably reach the US—shows his pragmatism and foresight. He dismisses the idea that the US is special or immune, grounding his reasoning in global statistics. This influences Knox by making him realize the seriousness of the situation, prompting him to worry about his parents' flights and to seek protective measures.

Why does Bowen decide to give a mask to the homeless man, and what does this action signify?

Bowen sees the homeless man and recognizes that he likely lacks access to protective equipment. By giving away a mask, Bowen prioritizes another person's safety over his own convenience. This action signifies his empathy and moral growth, reflecting the novel's theme that human life is more valuable than material goods. It also connects to the family's own history of hardship, as Knox notes they were once in similar shoes.