Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of bullying.

Jake, the book’s narrator, introduces himself. He is a fourth-grader who loves to read. He likes his teacher, Mr. Thompson, but Jake’s friend Pete points out that Mr. Thompson has one peculiarity: He appears to wear the same pants every day. When Jake protests that it is probably several pairs of similar-looking pants, Pete tests his theory by putting a tiny spot of marker on the cuff of Mr. Thompson’s pants. This is how they find out that it is two pairs of tan pants being rotated throughout the week. Jake’s best friend, Willie, is in Mrs. Steele’s class. Jake only sees Willie in art, music, and gym. Gym is Willie’s favorite class because Mrs. Steele is a demanding teacher.

Jake has noticed one thing about school that he cannot figure out: He doesn’t understand why the adults cannot do something about bullies. Jake remembers his first encounter with a bully, when he was only three and attending Miss Lulu’s Day Care. A boy with a runny nose—whom Jake refers to as “Nose Boy”—took his snack cookies and stole his swing. Miss Lulu was unaware of these issues, and Jake was left to figure out what to do on his own.