Page 18 of For Your Own Good

“But fourth period got to vote.”

“This is second period.”

There’s no requirement to do exactly the same thing in every class, as long as everything evens out by the end of the year. None of Teddy’s classes read the same book at the same time. In part, it’s so they can’t cheat.

It’s also because he hates for his students to know what’s coming next.

“However,” Teddy says, “I am willing to ask your opinion. What would you like to read next?”

Five hands go up. Two are expected. He ignores them and points to a girl in the second row. “Amber?”

“Lord of the Flies,” she says.

Teddy nods and points to another hand. “Noah.”

“Slaughterhouse-Five.”

“Madeline?”

“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”

More hands go up as they get the hang of it. Funny what happens when you give them a choice.

He calls on each and every student, even the two overeager ones.

“The Catcher in the Rye.”

“The Diary of Anne Frank.”

“The Jungle.”

All the short, easy-to-read classic books. Nothing with heavy, difficult language, and certainly no Russian translations. Books they’ve probably read before.

Teddy glances at Courtney Ross, trying to gauge her reaction. He still feels a little bad about screwing up the deadline for the paper. She shouldn’t have to suffer for what Zach Ward did. Unlike him, she’s not arrogant or difficult. She’s never asked for an extension—never needed one—and she’s always been an A student. Even by Teddy’s standards.

Maybe she needs a break on this next book. Maybe something that’s a little bit fun. Courtney could probably use some fun.

“What about,” Teddy says, “The Outsiders?”

Silence. The kids look skeptical, like they think it’s a trick.

“Seriously?” someone says.

Teddy smiles.The Outsidersis the holy grail of books for a high school class. Easy to read, fun, interesting. Yet it also has important messages about socioeconomics and the consequences of judging anyone who is different. Plus, there’s a movie with all kinds of celebrities in it.

“I’m serious,” Teddy says.

The students applaud. It’s a break in decorum, but Teddy lets it go. His class knows it’s a gift to be assigned that book.

They just don’t know it’s a gift to Courtney.

For her, he would do that. And he doesn’t give out gifts very often.

If he had to be 100 percent truthful, it’s not just because of Zach’s article. It’s because of Courtney’s mother, Ingrid. As president of the Collaborative, she also has a seat on Belmont Academy’s board of directors.

The same board that selects the Teacher of the Year.

ZACH FEELS SOMETHINGon his arm. No. Poking his arm.