Chapters Thirty through Thirty-Four, Epilogue Summary and Analysis

In May, there's a children's program and Lori is upset that she's excluded. She lashes out, saying if she were a "regular" first-grader, she'd be preparing for the performance. Torey realizes that Lori is safer in her class, but that it's not Lori's first choice. That prompts a tide of emotions with Torey citing her own inability to reach many of the children and her wish that she could make things better for them. In chapter thirty-one, Boo has a tremendous set back which depressed Torey but also affects the other children. Claudia, who had taken him to the bathroom at the time of the episode, feels responsible. Then Torey learns that Lori is going to be retained in first grade. In desperation, Torey chooses a "Dick and Jane" primer and teaches Lori...