Summary

Chapter 1 is titled “Nick.” Nick Allen is a student at Lincoln Elementary School. He does not fit on any of the three big lists – bad kids, smart kids, or really good kids. He has lots of ideas and is willing to act on them, which poses the question of whether he is a troublemaker. In third grade, Nick leads his classmates to create construction-paper palm trees and to wear flowers, sunglasses, and beach hats. Miss Deaver, a new teacher, applauds the creativity. However, when Nick spreads sand out on the floor and the kids track it all over the school, the custodian becomes involved. The principal shuts it down. In fourth grade, Nick learns that red-winged blackbirds use a high-pitched chirp to fool hawks about their location. Mrs. Avery's nose reminded Nick of a hawk, and one day he said “peep.” He discovers...