Nothing but the Truth Read online

  For Betty Miles

  Contents

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Preface

  1 Tuesday, March 13

  2 Thursday, March 15

  3 Friday, March 16

  4 Monday, March 19

  5 Tuesday, March 20

  6 Wednesday, March 21

  7 Friday, March 23

  8 Monday, March 26

  9 Tuesday, March 27

  10 Wednesday, March 28

  11 Thursday, March 29

  12 Friday, March 30

  13 Saturday, March 31

  14 Sunday, April 1

  15 Monday, April 2

  16 Tuesday, April 3

  17 Wednesday, April 4

  18 Friday, April 6

  19 Monday, April 9

  After Words™

  About the Author

  Q&A with Avi

  “The Star-Spangled Banner”

  Two True, One False

  Three Sides of the Same Coin

  A Sneak Peek at Something Upstairs

  Also Available

  Copyright

  When Nothing But the Truth was first published, I had trouble getting a reaction from the people it was written for: kids. Teachers were taking the book and passing it around among themselves, insisting that their principals, assistant principals, and superintendents read it.

  Moreover, wherever I traveled, teachers would take me aside and say something like, “I know this book is about what happened in my school. Who was it who told you about what happened?”

  A principal once asked me if someone sent me his memos.

  A teacher from a school named Harrison High handed me a sheet of school stationery. The school’s logo was the lamp of learning that appears in the book.

  It got so that when I spoke to groups of teachers about the book, I took to asking, “Has anyone NOT heard of such an incident happening in your schools?”

  No one ever raised a hand.

  It appears that the incident in the book—perhaps not so extreme—is rather common in schools across the country. And yet, these kinds of things remain somewhat secret—from the kids who go to the school.

  How did I—someone who has never taught in a school—come to know about this kind of thing?

  First of all, our nation’s schools are wonderfully open, in the democratic sense of the word. If anything in our nation is of the people, and for the people, it is our schools. Anyone who is an engaged parent knows a great deal about schools. There is very little one can’t learn about them by looking, asking, and watching—all to our credit.

  But there is another way I’ve learned about schools. As a writer of books for young people, I’ve been visiting schools for more than thirty years. When I am in schools I’ll visit any number of classes. Even so, there are times when I’m off duty.

  Where am I sent between classes? To the “teachers’ lounge.” The lounge is one of the few schoolrooms that is truly off-limits for most students. It’s here that teachers find time for a moment of relaxation, a flash of quiet, or an exchange with another teacher about what might be going on in the building that day.

  And there I sit, listening to it all.

  It’s wonderful how much you can learn by just being quiet and listening. Sometimes you even learn the truth—or what seems to be the truth.

  Avi

  September 2002

  Two Questions

  Do you swear to tell the truth,

  the whole truth, and

  nothing but the truth?

  Does anyone say no?

  * * *

  STANDARD FORMAT FOR MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS ON PUBLIC-ADDRESS SYSTEM

  1. 8:05 A.M. The Principal, or in his stead the Assistant Principal, or in his stead a designated member of the faculty, will say, “Good morning to all students, faculty, and staff. Today is Monday (or whatever day), January (or whatever month) 3 (or whatever day). Today will be a Schedule A (or B) day” (depending on what schedule).

  2. Say, “Today in history …” (Please consult Book of Days in Principal’s office for appropriate references. Limit is three items.)

  3. Say, “Please all rise and stand at respectful, silent attention for the playing of our national anthem.”

  4. Turn on tape of anthem.

  5. After anthem is complete, say, “I have these announcements.” All administration and faculty announcements shall be made at this point.

  6. Say, “May I now introduce __________ (name of student, grade) for today’s sport and club news. Have a good day.”

  7. Student announcements.

  8. All announcements should end by 8:15 latest.

  DR. JOSEPH PALLENI

  Assistant Principal

  * * *

  10:35 P.M.

  From the Diary of Philip Malloy

  Coach Jamison saw me in the hall and said he wanted to make sure I’m trying out for the track team!!!! Said my middle school gym teacher told him I was really good!!!! Then he said that with me on the Harrison High team we have a real shot at being county champs. Fantastic!!!!!! He wouldn’t say that unless he meant it. Have to ask folks about helping me get new shoes. Newspaper route won’t do it all. But Dad was so excited when I told him what Coach said that I’m sure he’ll help.

  Saw a thing on TV about Olympic committees already organizing all over the country. Olympics. I’m going to be there! County champs. State champs. College champs. Then Olympics! Folks always reminding me about the money they’re putting aside for my college, which is the only way to go. That’s what did Dad in, dropping out. Too hard to get noticed with just clubs.

  Rainy and cold. I hate this kind of weather. Slows you down. Still ran six miles. I’m getting stronger.

  Oh, yeah…. At lunch Sarah Gloss came up and said she had to speak to me. Said this girl, Allison Doresett, likes me. I had to act cool because I wasn’t sure who she was. Then I remembered she’s in my English class and is really decent. She must have liked that gag question I asked. The two of us would be front-of-the-line. Bet she heard about my running too. Girls go for guys who win. Ta-da! It’s Malloy Magic time!

  Talk about Malloy Magic…. This time for—da-dum!—Miss Narwin. I mean, what can you do with an English teacher who’s so uptight she must have been put together with super glue. Try to make a joke—lighten things up a bit—she goes all flinty-faced. Shift to sweet, she goes sour. I mean, people can’t have their own minds about anything!!! Talk about a free country!!! And the stuff we have to read! Can’t believe how stupid and boring Jack London is! I mean, really. The Call of the Wild. Talk about dogs! Ma says she had to read it when she was in school. There has to be better stuff to read for ninth grade somewhere. I thought high school was going to be different.

  Have to figure a way to run past Narwin.

  10:45 P.M.

  From a Letter Written by Margaret Narwin to Her Sister, Anita Wigham

  Yes, Anita, I suppose that after doing anything for twenty-one years a body does get a little tired. And I have been teaching English at Harrison High for just that long. All the same, I remain steadfast in my belief that my life was meant to be the bringing of fine literature to young minds. When the connection is made—and from time to time it is made—it’s all worth it. Is it wrong to speak of the work as a calling? Well, teaching is almost a religion to me. I will complain from time to time, but—it is my life. The truth is, I like it.

  But the other truth, Anita, is that students today are not what they used to be. There is no love of literature. Not the way you and I learned it from Mother. Young people don’t read at all today—outside of school requirements. They come to literature reluctantly at best, fighting me every inch of the way. It’s not as if they aren’t bright. They are.
And I like them and their capacity for independence. But the other side of that independence is a lack of caring for anything beyond themselves. If they ask me once more “What’s this have to do with us?” I think I’ll scream. Of course, I don’t scream. You have to treat them with care and fairness. Fairness is so important to them.

  For example: these days I’m teaching The Call of the Wild. A student raised his hand to say he didn’t understand “who was calling who.” Now if I were to laugh or mock, he would be insulted. And I would lose him.

  This boy, Philip Malloy, is new to me. I met his parents at First Night, and they seem like pleasant folks; they come regularly to PTA meetings. They are educated—she is, anyway. I’m not sure what they do.

  But this Philip—an only son, by the way, which may be the problem—is only a middling student, and it’s a shame. A nice-looking boy. A boy I like. Intelligent. With real potential. Perhaps that’s why he irritates me so—for he shows no desire to strive, to make sacrifices for the betterment of self, the way we were taught. And, oh, my, Anita, so restless! Worst of all, like so many of them, he exhibits no desire to learn. No ambition at all! But it’s not even that I mind so much. No, it’s a certain something—a resistance—to accepting the idea that literature is important. For him or anyone! But it is. It is! If I could only convince students of that. It’s that desire that keeps me going.

  I can hear you saying, “Come on down to Florida.” Anita, I don’t know if I am ready for that yet.

  Yes, I could take early retirement. Mr. Benison (Science) is doing so. But then, he’s older than I. And he has a wife who works. The truth is, Anita, I would be lost without my books, my teaching, my students.

  I had a note from Ethel Truebel! Do you remember her? She used to be in the West Fork Church congregation years ago. It seems …

  8:05 A.M.

  Discussion in Bernard Lunser’s Homeroom Class

  MR. LUNSER: Let’s go! Let’s go! Carpe diem. Time to grab the moment!

  INTERCOM VOICE OF DR. GERTRUDE DOANE, HARRISON HIGH PRINCIPAL: Good morning to all students, faculty, and staff. Today is Thursday, March 15. Today will be a Schedule A day.

  MR. LUNSER: Get that, bozos? A day!

  DR. DOANE: Today in history: on this day in 44 B.C., Julius Caesar was assassinated.

  MR. LUNSER: And right after that they all sat down and ate a Caesar salad.

  DR. DOANE: In 1767, Andrew Jackson, our seventh president, was born.

  MR. LUNSER: So by the time this here Andy’s term was over, he was four years old.

  DR. DOANE: It was in 1820 that Maine was admitted to the United States.

  MR. LUNSER: And by 1821 they wanted out.

  DR. DOANE: Please all rise and stand at respectful, silent attention for the playing of our national anthem.

  Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,

  What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming …

  MR. LUNSER: Okay, Philip, is that yesterday’s homework or today’s you’re working on?

  Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight …

  PHILIP MALLOY: I’m trying to pass an exam.

  MR. LUNSER: Ah, the famous wit and wisdom of Mr. Malloy. Philip, I’m the only one allowed to make jokes around here. Put the book away.

  O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? …

  PHILIP MALLOY: Just one last paragraph?

  MR. LUNSER: Away, Philip! Or I’ll make you sing along solo!

  And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

  Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

  Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave

  O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?

  MR. LUNSER: Okay. Move it out! Move it out! Hey, and be careful in those hallways.

  STUDENT: What about announcements?

  MR. LUNSER: Seems there aren’t any, for which we can all be grateful. Anyway, Philip needs the time to study for his exam!

  11:05 P.M.

  From the Diary of Philip Malloy

  Winter term exams next week. Hate them. Studying is so boring! I read the biology book for about twenty minutes tonight. Then I realized I wasn’t really reading. Must have been asleep or something.

  Three exams scheduled in one day!!! The trick is getting past the teacher. It’s like a race. You have to have a strategy—know when to take it easy, know when to turn on the juice. Get teachers to think you’re in control. Have to know when to kick. Like—put in one of their ideas. Or when all else fails make them laugh.

  The exam I really want to study for is math. I could get a good mark. People think I’m weird, but I like math.

  I won’t waste time on English. What can you say about a dog? Besides, it’s just a matter of opinion, anyway!!! If I could only get Narwin to crack a smile.

  Mom and Dad have been arguing a lot lately. Wonder what that means? Dad said his business is in a cash flow squeeze. Mom says the phone company wants employees to pay more into the health plan. Says that’s not fair. Dad says the point of business is to make the most money.

  Been checking Allison out. She looked cool today. Dad says that when you’re a sports star girls really go for you. Hey, Allison, remember me? Phil. Phil Malloy. Right! How would you like a box seat at the Olympics?

  Mr. Bentcroft—on Washington Street—owes me for three weeks of newspapers. Talk about dogs!!!!

  Sunny at first today. Then cloudy. Bit of rain. Then sunny again. Still, I got in a couple of hours of workout. Mostly wind sprints. Then twenty minutes on Dad’s rowing machine.

  In Running magazine, there’s this guy, Steve Hallick, who’s 17, and he’s doing the 55 meters in 6.51 seconds!!!!

  Track team practice season starts next week. Can’t wait. That’s all Dad and I talk about.

  * * *

  TO: PHILIP MALLOY

  FROM: DR. JOSEPH PALLENI, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, HARRISON HIGH SCHOOL

  RE: NEW HOMEROOM ASSIGNMENTS FOR SPRING TERM

  Dear Philip ,

  As we head into the Spring term, the faculty committee has made some changes in homeroom assignments. This will facilitate the movements of students, as well as allow for a greater degree of freedom in the planning of Spring term extracurricular schedules.

  Your new homeroom teacher is: Miss Narwin , in room: 206 . Effective Wednesday, March 28, 8 A.M.

  Thank you for your cooperation.

  DR. JOSEPH PALLENI

  Assistant Principal

  * * *

  8:20 P.M.

  Phone Conversation between Philip Malloy and Allison Doresett

  PHILIP MALLOY: Can I speak to Allison, please?

  ALLISON DORESETT: This is she.

  PHILIP MALLOY: Oh, Allison…. Hi. This is Phil.

  ALLISON DORESETT: Phil?

  PHILIP MALLOY: Philip Malloy.

  ALLISON DORESETT: Oh, hi.

  PHILIP MALLOY: What’s happening?

  ALLISON DORESETT: Not much.

  PHILIP MALLOY: Must have been something you ate.

  ALLISON DORESETT: Disgusting!

  PHILIP MALLOY: Hey, I … I was wondering … the English exam. Next week. You know? …

  ALLISON DORESETT: Yes?

  PHILIP MALLOY: Well, I thought … did you read the whole thing yet? Call of the Wild.

  ALLISON DORESETT: Finished it last night. We’re supposed to review it all tomorrow, you know. For that exam.

  PHILIP MALLOY: Allison …

  ALLISON DORESETT: What?

  PHILIP MALLOY: I lost my copy.

  ALLISON DORESETT: You what?

  PHILIP MALLOY: Wasn’t my fault. See, I had this idea—I thought I’d try reading it to a dog.

  ALLISON DORESETT: A dog!

  PHILIP MALLOY: Well, it’s about dogs, right? So I started to read it to him—this really mean dog—slobbering mouth, running eyes, the whole bit—only, see, he grabs it and starts to run away.
/>   ALLISON DORESETT: This isn’t true….

  PHILIP MALLOY: No, listen! Don’t laugh! I’m serious! And I chased him into—I’m a runner, right?—chased him into a yard and there he was—burying the book in the ground. I couldn’t get it back. The point is, he hated it too!

  ALLISON DORESETT: You’re too much.

  PHILIP MALLOY: So, I have to tell Narwin I couldn’t finish it.

  ALLISON DORESETT: Right. Dare you to say that to her.

  PHILIP MALLOY: Think I should?

  ALLISON DORESETT: You always make remarks.

  PHILIP MALLOY: Somebody’s got to keep the class awake.

  ALLISON DORESETT: Yeah, but, hate to tell you, I liked the book.

  PHILIP MALLOY: Whoops! Sorry, wrong number! Good-bye!

  Excerpt from Margaret Narwin’s Winter Term Exam

  Question four: What is the significance of Jack London’s choice in making Buck, the dog in The Call of the Wild, the focus of his novel? Is the dog meant to be symbolic? Explain your answer. Can people learn from this portrayal of a dog? Expand on these ideas.

  Philip Malloy’s Answer to Exam-Question Four

  The significance of Buck in Jack London’s novel The Call of the Wild is that Buck is symbolic of a cat. You might think that cats have nothing to do with the book, but that is the point. Dogs are willing to sit around and have writers write about them, which, in my personal opinion, makes them dumb. I think cats are smart. Cats don’t like cold. A book that takes up so much time about a dog is pretty dumb. The book itself is a dog. That is what people can learn from Jack London’s novel The Call of the Wild.

  3:30 P.M.

  Comment by Margaret Narwin on Philip Malloy’s Exam Paper

  Philip, this is an unacceptable response. The Call of the Wild is an acknowledged masterpiece of American literature. You are not required to like it. You—along with your fellow students—are required to give it your respectful, thoughtful attention. In short, you are being asked to be more than lazy in your thinking.