Today’s video is an in-depth look at chapters 16 and 17. I lumped ’em together, partly because chapter 17 is so short, but also because chapter 17 is a direct continuation of what happens in chapter 16.
Chapter 16 is one of my very favorite chapters in the book. It’s the “Curly Pencil Incident,” and the way it plays out in the book is very, very close to how I remember it playing out in real life. It’s funny how an event that surrounded something so small and truly inconsequential — like that curly pencil — can be a traumatic and life-changing event in a young life. I mean, in the grand scheme of things, a curly pencil is really nothing. But you never forget those big feelings, nor the people that trigger those big feelings. And you never forget those kids — like my friend, Mike Miller — who are kind enough, and brave enough, to stand up for you. What a great kid he was!
Chapter 17 is a bit of foreshadowing, laying out the pieces for what’s to come later in the book. If you’ve read the book, you know what “Quiet Math” is, and you also know how scared I was of getting my name written up in Mrs. Sinklemann’s apple. Just thinking about it today makes my stomach hurt a little bit. I hate to be in trouble with anyone!
So, kids: keep your name out of the apple (another way of saying, behave!) — and I hope you’ll enjoy this video!
Cece Bell 
Leave a Reply