A.R. Book Level: 5.9
A.R. Points: 12.0
Pages: 264
It's 1967. Not only does Holling Hoodhood have an awful name, he's also stuck ALONE with his English teacher every Wednesday afternoon when everyone else in class leaves for religious school. He thinks things couldn't get any worse when Mrs. Baker decides they'll spend this time reading Shakespeare, but he's wrong. Somewhere in between wearing bright yellow tights in public, letting two monstrous rats escape into the walls, and receiving death threats over a cream puff, things get worse. This book beautifully mixes the silly events of Holling's seventh grade year with the very serious aspects of life in the U.S. during the Vietnam War. It's a must-read for students who've already read all the nonfiction Vietnam books as well as students who are starting to get ready for Young Adult books about growing up and defining your identity.