Izzy Kingston Character Analysis in Before I Fall

Izzy is Sam’s eight-year-old sister. The intrepid and independent Izzy talks with a pronounced lisp and refuses to go to speech therapy despite the fact that the other kids in her class make fun of her. Sam pities Izzy, and wishes she could influence her sister toward a decision that would allow her to fit in—but as Sam relives Cupid Day again and again, she decides to spend one day of the loop skipping school and spending time with her baby sister. As Sam and Izzy bond, Sam comes to realize that Izzy’s independent thinking and shirking of social norms is actually an inspiration—Izzy is entirely herself, and does not change anything for anyone. Through her younger sister’s example, Sam learns a little bit more about who she herself is, and begins to focus on how she can honor her inner self and stop relenting to the social pressures at her high school.

Izzy Kingston Character Timeline in Before I Fall

The timeline below shows where the character Izzy Kingston appears in Before I Fall. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Popularity, Status, and Social Capital Theme Icon

...struggles to put her coat on, pack her backpack, and get out the door, but Izzy, her eight-year-old sister, stops her as she is almost out of the house. Sam, frustrated... (full context)

Rebirth, Renewal, and Redemption Theme Icon

Izzy bursts into the room and tells Sam that their mother has sent her to wake... (full context)

...days. Sam reaches for her phone and checks the date—again, it is Friday, February 12th. Izzy pokes her head in the door and tells Sam to wake up—Sam asks Izzy to... (full context)

...all the things she’d still like to accomplish in her life, both fanciful and mundane. Izzy slips into Sam’s room and hops up onto her bed, waking her up for school.... (full context)

Sam playfully tickles Izzy, and the noises of their laughter bring their mother to the door. She warns Sam... (full context)

Sam’s mother sends Izzy downstairs to eat breakfast, and once Izzy is gone, she asks Sam if she’s feeling... (full context)

...and kisses Sam on the forehead. She tells Sam that she’s allowed to stay home. Izzy appears in the doorway, half-dressed for school in mismatched clothes, begging to stay home with... (full context)

Sam’s mother tells Izzy she can’t stay home, but Sam implores her mother to let her. Sam’s mother tells... (full context)

...to Goose Point. She hasn’t been there in years—until today, when she decides to take Izzy, despite the cold weather. Sam wants to see if Goose Point still feels the same. (full context)

Sam leads Izzy through the woods, and as they go, Sam is struck by how small everything is—when... (full context)

Sam asks Izzy if the other kids at school make fun of her for her voice—Izzy concedes that... (full context)

Izzy asks Sam about the necklace she is wearing—Sam replies that it was a gift from... (full context)

Sam and Izzy spend the rest of the day watching old cartoons and snacking, and when their mother... (full context)

...lies, and tells the girl—who introduces herself as Marian—that she and Juliet are lab partners. Izzy runs over and throws her arm around Sam’s waist, asking her to come back to... (full context)

Sam hugs her parents and kisses Izzy on the head, showing them all a measure of affection, which she knows has been... (full context)

...forward to all the things she’ll do once she’s out of the loop—hang out with Izzy, spend real quality time with her friends rather than just gossiping, and kiss Kent McFuller. (full context)

...happy, and she watches her father kiss her mother on the forehead. Sam knows that Izzy will follow her to the door with her gloves—this time, she thanks Izzy for bringing... (full context)

...the things she wants to remember and be remembered for. She recalls spending time with Izzy on Cape Cod; cooking with Ally and Elody; embracing Lindsay; enjoying Christmas with her family;... (full context)