The setting doesn't affect the mood of the story that much because the character only goes back and forth between his school and his house. The main thing that affects the mood is mainly changed because of the character Jeffrey's cancer. Jeffrey's cancer affects the mood because one moment everything was so happy and perfect and then the next moment when Jeffrey got diagnosed with cancer the whole world went upside down for the main character,Steven. Even though Steven was not a big fan of his brother he was protective of him. Like one time this one kid was trying to push Jeffrey off a swing, so Steven yelled at the kid to stop until his mom pulled him away. Now that Jeffrey is sick Steven lets Jeffrey play on his drums as long as he doesn't use the special sticks.