Summary

In 41: Old Books and New Stories, it is just before Thanksgiving and Stella’s school receives a donation of books from Mountain View School. The students gather around the box of books, only to discover many of them are outdated or in very poor condition. Mr. Stinson, the mailman, arrives with another box for the classroom. He notes how much less welcoming Mountain View School was when he brought books to them that morning. After he leaves, Mrs. Grayson opens the latest package to find it contains copies of the Carolina Times, as well as a letter announcing the essay contest winner. When Helen Spencer is announced as the winner, Stella can’t help but feel “so low” (271).

In 42: Two Small Puncture wounds, Stella and Jojo walk home. Jojo says he is sad...