Why does Junior refer to how ‘white’ Penelope is? What is the effect of this?

As the "most perfect vanilla desert".

Explanation:

Junior refers Penelope as the "most perfect vanilla desert". He thinks that Penelope is all perfect as she belongs to the majority race in the school. She has a strict dad and has her own specific dreams making her the most perfect 'white' person to Junior.Junior thinks that if he could get close to her or maybe befriend her, he would get the popular treatment in the school. Thus, he idealizes her and calls her the "most perfect vanilla desert".

A. they give the reader hope. if the whole book was dark & unhopeful it’d be a little less interesting, little moments make it more interesting to read because then you want to know what happens. if it’s all dark there’s no point in reading if you already know the outcome of it.