Summary

Community summary are the opinions of contributing users. These summary do not represent the opinions of Daniel Boone Regional Library.
For Felix Funicello fifth grade is a minefield: Sister Agrippina's pinches, his nickname Dondi, getting into trouble with Lonny, and his arch-nemesis Rosalie are all things to be avoided on a daily basis. When his regular teacher has a nervous breakdown (which Felix may have inadvertently caused), she is replaced by the tres exotique Madame Frechette, all the way from… Quebec. Adding more spice to the staid New England classroom is the arrival of Zhenya, a Russian girl of thirteen who may or may not be a (gasp) Communist (this is 1964, remember), but who definitely has a salty vocabulary. As Madame Frechette and Zhenya square off against Rosalie and the very traditional Catholic school system, Felix observes all and wades through the sea of a 10-year-old's dreams and fears.