Summary

Chapter 1 — Brothers Damian and Anthony Cunningham begin their first day as new students at Great Ditton Primary School, which strives to produce excellent students. Their father tells them to be excellent. Damian especially takes his father’s advice to heart. When his teacher, Mr. Quinn, opens up to class discussion about people the students admire, Damian happily talks about numerous saints, including Saint Roch, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, and Saint Sexburga of Ely.

Anthony thinks Damian needs to do more to blend in, not stand out. Anthony does not mind, thinking that saints like Joseph of Copertino were laughed at and persecuted. Damian also notes that Saint Francis of Assisi, who stole cloth from his father to give to the poor, is the patron saint of the story.

At lunch, Anthony and Damian meet a classmate named Barry. Anthony tells Barry their mother is...