One
important character in the novel is the teacher Mrs. Olinski. She has recently returned to the
middle-school classroom after a devastating accident that left her legs paralyzed but killed her
husband. When she is charged with selecting and training a group of students who can win the
rigorous academic competition, her choices are not those her principal would have made. Her
classroom has its share of rowdy, disrespectful students, and she must tap her deep reserves of
patience to channel their energy, not just discipline them. Resilience is another key trait she
demonstrates, as well as creativity in interacting with the children as well as helping them
work through the project plans.
The students in The Souls group help her
focus and renew her belief in the importance of her work. As they also gain confidence and throw
themselves into the competition, their efforts even more than their eventual victory help her
see what this experience means to them and sometimes their parents, as
well.
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