Mrs. Olinski
decided that Hamilton Knapp was not right for the academic team when she realized that he was
behind the cruel taunting that occurred during the Annie play. She
"had a great tolerance for mischief, but she had no patience for malice", and
Ham's stunt in instigating the chanting proved to her that he was not just naughty, but
"terribly mean" (Ch. 5).
Mrs. Olinski did not know herself exactly
what qualities she was looking for in her team members in the beginning. She chose Noah first
after reading his essay on the First Amendment (Ch. 5), and was drawn to Nadia when the young
girl, after being so "cautious about being friendly" over the first month of school,
broke out of her shell and began to greet Mrs. Olinski each morning with a bright smile and a
"Hey" (Ch. 2). Ethan was chosen next because of his positive attitude; he was one of
the rare sixth graders who asked "Now what?" instead of "So what?" (Ch. 3).
Mrs. Olinski did not at first consider Julian, the last member chosen, to be on the team because
he seemed so much "an island unto himself, definitely not a team player", but she
changed her mind after visiting Sillington House. There she discovered that Julian, along with
Noah, Nadia, and Ethan, were exceptionally creative, loving, and kind individuals, and she
realized that "kindness" was the essential quality she wanted in a team member
(Chapter 11).
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