Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

Following the field trip, Mrs. Maxy advises Joey that there would be a meeting at school regarding the “next step” for him the following day; therefore, the young boy is pleased to see a substitute teacher in class that morning. There’s an announcement instructing all the students in the gifted and talented program to report to the auditorium for a presentation, and he follows them there and hides behind the stage curtain. Mrs. Jarzab introduces the speaker, Mrs. Cole, who has written a book about how “character counts.” Mrs. Cole exhorts the students, whom she says are “special” to use their talent to benefit the world, and she cites Mother Teresa as an example. Joey thinks that he is “special,” too; his mother and the nurse think so, and he is a student in special ed. Joey is excited and tries to think of ways to make the world better.

Upon returning to his classroom, Joey meets Mrs. Maxy, who has returned from her meeting. He advises her that he will make up bumper stickers saying “Hate Is Not a Family Value” to distribute to a million cars, and she tells him to use the art supplies at the back of the room.