Holling覺得自己卡在最糟的夾縫裡：學校裡，他要獨自留下來念莎士比亞；家裡，爸爸只在乎面子，完全不聽家人心聲。每個月都有新難題，每個星期三都讓他懊惱不已。但日子過著過著，他開始喜歡上莎士比亞的詞句，也開始看見Mrs. Baker真實的一面——甚至也開始懂得，如何保護想守護的人。Gary D. Schmidt 用輕柔幽默的筆觸描寫少年心事與時代背景交織的成長故事，溫和卻深刻，讀完令人回味不已。2008 Newbery Honor BookIn this Newbery Honor–winning novel, Gary D. Schmidt tells the witty and compelling story of a teenage boy who feels that fate has it in for him.Seventh grader Holling Hoodhood isn't happy. He is sure his new teacher, Mrs. Baker, hates his guts. Throughout the school year, Holling strives to get a handle on the Shakespeare plays Mrs. Baker assigns him to read on his own time, and to figure out the enigmatic Mrs. Baker. At home, Holling's domineering father is obsessed with his business image and disregards his family.As the Vietnam War turns lives upside down, Holling comes to admire and respect both Shakespeare and Mrs. Baker, who have more to offer him than he imagined. And when his family is on the verge of coming apart, he also discovers his loyalty to his sister,
