I think looking back on that day now, that's the line that will always stay with me--another room, by ourselves. How many other rooms by ourselves have we walked into since that day--even if they weren't real rooms and we didn't know that's what we were doing?
-- Haley (chapter 5)

Importance: Ms. Laverne, the teacher, has just taken the students to the empty art room where she told them about their new weekly assignment, to talk together for the final hour of the school week, in this private space without any adult supervising or listening to them. At first the kids' reaction is somewhat negative and they think it is strange to be without their teacher in a different room. However, reflecting back on the experience, Haley realizes that going to the room every week and talking with other students, and forming bonds of friendship became a significant event in her life. The room...