September
What religion does Holling practice?
What is Presbyterianism?
What chores does Mrs. Baker initially assign Holling on Wednesdays?
cleaning the classroom, erasing chalkboards,
hat Shakespeare play does Holling read after The Merchant of Venice
The Tempest
What role does Holling play in the Holiday Extravaganza
Ariel
Who is Holling’s teacher throughout these chapters
Mrs. Baker
Why does Holling stay at school on Wednesday afternoons?
Why does he not attend Hebrew school or Catholic religious instruction?
What treat is prepared for Mrs. Baker’s husband’s colleagues’ wives?
cream puffs
Which character in The Tempest particularly interests Holling
Caliban
Which famous baseball player refuses to sign Holling’s baseball because of his unusual costume
Mickey Mantle
What war provides an important historical backdrop to the novel
Vietnam War
What does Holling believe Mrs. Baker thinks of him?
Holling believes she hates him.
What happens to the cream puffs after Holling cleans the chalk erasers
chalk dust settles on them
What major business success does Holling’s father achieve?
winning the Baker Sporting Emporium contract
Which friend stands up for Holling during the incident at the sporting goods store?
Danny Hupfer
What does Holling’s relationship with Mrs. Baker begin to teach him?
not to judge others too quickly
What is the name of Holling’s school
Camillo Junior High
What Shakespeare play does Holling begin reading with Mrs. Baker?
The Merchant of Venice?
What opportunity allows Holling to perform Shakespeare onstage
Long Island Shakespeare Company’s Holiday Extravaganza
Why is Mrs. Bigio especially unkind to Mai Thi
grieving her husband’s death and unfairly directing her anger at Mai Thi
How does Shakespeare help Holling grow as a person
build his confidence, develop his understanding of literature, and reveal new abilities
Why does Holling’s father tell him to be especially careful around Mrs. Baker?
Baker family considering hiring his architecture firm
What accident involving animals causes chaos at school?
accidental release of rats
What tragic news does Mrs. Bigio receive?
her husband has died in the Vietnam War
How does Mrs. Baker make up for Holling’s disappointing experience with the Yankees?
arranging an opportunity for Holling and other boys to meet Yankees players
How do Mrs. Bigio’s treatment of Mai Thi and the events of these chapters illustrate a central theme
grief and prejudice can lead to mistreatment, while empathy encourages compassion?