What is the exposition of small steps book?

The exposition of "Small Steps" by Louis Sachar establishes the protagonist, Ben, and his challenging situation. It introduces us to Ben's life at the juvenile detention facility, the strict rules and atmosphere, and his unique perspective as a large, physically imposing boy wrongly convicted of a crime. We learn about his love of baseball and his struggles to control his temper, leading to his current predicament. The exposition also hints at his past traumas, particularly the significant event that landed him in juvenile hall, and lays the groundwork for his journey of self-discovery and rehabilitation through baseball. Essentially, the early chapters detail Ben's current reality, his personality, and the central conflict: his need to both fit in and succeed in this unusual environment while battling his inner demons.