Schooled (novel)

Schooled is a 2007 children's book written by Gordon Korman. It is about a hippie named Cap who comes to public school while his grandmother is in the hospital, and makes an impact on the school. It was the Intermediate Winner of the 2010 Young Reader's Choice Awards.^[1]

Plot

Capricorn "Cap" Anderson has lived on Garland Farm outside San Francisco, California with his hippie grandmother, Rain, all his life. One day, Rain falls out of a plum tree and breaks her hip, putting her in the hospital. Cap is put into public school under the care of a child services worker and her beautiful daughter while she is recovering. He does not fit in at Claverage Middle School (dubbed C Average by the students), because he is a vegetarian Buddhist, listens to 60's music, wears tie-dyed clothing, has long, unkempt hair, and practices T'ai chi on the lawn. Cap is only able to make one friend, Hugh, the former biggest nerd in school. Cap's arrival is great news for Zach Powers, the big man on campus. His plan is to follow the C Average tradition and elect the biggest nerd (Cap) as the eighth grade president. When Cap becomes president, he is more puzzled than ever, as he has no idea how to work with money, and Zach often leads him to fake student council meetings in nonexistent rooms. Zach encourages all of his friends and fellow students to make life difficult for Cap, doing anything they can to upset, make fun of, or confuse him. But as Cap begins to understand the outside world, the joke starts to turn on Zach. After Cap heroically saves a bus-driver, the students begin to respect him and admire him. Through a series of coincidences and with a little bit of good luck and hippie wisdom, Cap plans to make the school dances better, connects with the students and helps them with their problems, teaches the students how to tie-dye, and involves the entire school in his hobbies, such as Tai Chi and playing 60's music. This attracts the attention of one of Zach's close friends, Naomi, who, despite helping Zach haze him, is intrigued by his relaxed and brave behavior, leading her to eventually kiss him. When Rain is done recovering, Cap goes back to Garland, but finds it hard to adjust to his now different life. He goes back to C Average for a halloween prom, only to find all the students he influenced gathered outside, even Zach. He finds it moving, but he explains he must go back to Garland, where he belongs. However, Rain shows up and explains she has decided to change completely, and get with the times. She tells him she has sold Garland for $17 million and purchased a home in San Francisco, and that Cap can return to C Average, where his new life truly is. ^[2]

Sequel

Korman has expressed interest in doing a sequel that continues the life of Cap and his possible relationship with Naomi. He has not released many details.

References