The Kid Nobody Could Handle Summary

George M. Heinholz is a band teacher who believes in the power of music to change lives. One morning, he is eating breakfast in the local diner while the owner, Bert Quinn, is haranguing Heinholz about a real estate deal. Also at the diner this morning is Jim, a foster child Quinn is caring for.

Heinholz drives Jim to school and tries to make conversation. Jim ignores him. Later, there is a faculty meeting to discuss the destruction in the English teacher's room. That night, Heinholz has a dream that his band equipment is being destroyed. Heinholz drives to the school and catches Jim throwing acid all over a chemistry lab. Heinholz starts to call the principal but, instead, hands Jim his most prized possession—a trumpet owned by John Phillip Sousa. He tells...