Sometimes, doing the right thing can get you in trouble. This is a lesson James learns the hard way when he is moved to sit behind Richie. The two hit it off at first, with James sharing observations about funny habits their classmates have. That's when Richie reveals his true colors.
He's sneaky, avoiding the watchful eyes of teachers and playing the part of the perfect student. As he vies for the Premier Student of the Year Award, he uses James's observations to manipulate the school's reward system and blackmail students into helping him.
When James learns of his new friend's plan, he does his best to stop it but ultimately ends up getting himself in trouble. As he tries to convince other students to stand with him, he learns just how far Richie is willing to go. With a school full of seemingly oblivious teachers, the question of what to do becomes more and more complex.
The assignment of a social studies project on Martin Luther King Jr. finally brings James to the realization that by delving into the past, he might be able to learn some valuable strategies for dealing with his problems in the present.
About the Author: Father, grandfather, and lifelong educator James Dillon writes extensively on the topic of bullying prevention and school climate. Dillon has drawn on his more than thirty-five years of experience as an educator to author works such as No Place for Bullying: Leadership for Schools That Care for Every Student, Reframing Bullying Prevention to Build Stronger School Communities, Okay Kevin, and now Marching with Dr. King.
With so much practical experience, Dillon's strategies for preventing and reducing bullying have been adopted by many schools. During his time as principal of Lynnwood Elementary in New York, he designed the Peaceful School Bus program that is now used in most states.
Dillon contributes regularly to the education blog Smart Briefs and has published articles in several professional periodicals about education. He serves as an educational consultant, presenting on topics ranging from bullying and supervision to classroom management and leadership. He hopes his work will help children find positive, realistic solutions for dealing with bullying and strengthening their relationships with peers.
