Richard looks forward to the Candy Corn contest in Ms. Rooney's class, but he can't resist sneaking just a few pieces.

Each student in Ms. Rooney's room celebrates the December holidays by being a secret pal to a classmate.

It's the first day back to school after winter vacation, and Richard Best is off to a bad start. Who ever heard of a January without any snow? And as usual, he has already forgotten something—the ruler Ms. Rooney had told him to bring for dinosaur day. Luckily Richard finds a ruler in his desk—with a dinosaur's initials—and he's sure the ruler is special. And then he finds out it has magic powers.
All his wishes begin to come true: Snow stars...

The children in Ms. Rooney's room are supposed to be writing about real people, but writing is Beast's worst subject.

At the close of the school year, Emily spends time at the class picnic thinking about the fun she has had with her classmates.

Summer for Richard Best, nicknamed Beast, means facing the two ordeals of summer school and losing his best friend, who is moving to a distant state.