Part of the major focus of Chapter 9 is the growing relationship between Matt and Attean.  Since the reference of this lies from Matt's point of view, it might be effective to detail a limerick from his perception:

There once was a boy named Matt/ To both he and Attean, "Robinson Crusoe" did attract.

In learning to read/ Attean began to disagree

And Matt began to understand their differences as a fact.

This limerick accomplishes a couple of ends.  The first is that it explores the growing relationship between both boys.  It is able to do this through delving into the condition of reading.  The act of reading is where both boys begin to understand more about the world around them and about one another.  Matt understands Attean's points that different frame of references might be needed to appropriate understanding about the world. Attean's response to Robinson Crusoe helps allow Matt to see the difference in perception between both of them and the worlds in which they inhabit.  This difference enables a greater empathy to emerge in Matt. While Attean still spits hostility towards Matt, it is through the reading that both of them gain a stronger foundation in their relationship, an idea that the limerick strives to represent.