November Summary

In "November", Holling and his family notice that their living room ceiling is leaking, and has been for some time. Mrs. Baker has assigned Holling "The Tempest", and he finds he is able to relate to the storms in the play. As part of learning "Tempest", Holling begins to teach himself the Caliban curses spread throughout the play, and uses them consistently, although quietly. Arriving at school early one morning to practice, he finds Mr. Guareschi and Mr. Vendleri placing rat traps in the ceiling. In class, Mrs, Baker catches Holling blending curses, and she notes she enjoys the rhythm. In choir, when he is asked to sing soprano, his cursing draws the attention of Meryl Lee. Later, Doug Swieteck's brother hears Holling use the phrase "pied ninny" and asks its meaning.

On Wednesday, Holling is given a hundred fifty question quiz on...