Don't Care High facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Gordon Korman |
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| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Young adult |
| Publisher | Scholastic Canada Ltd. |
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Publication date
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1985 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 243 |
| ISBN | 0-590-43129-3 |
Don’t Care High is a funny and exciting novel written by Gordon Korman. It was published in 1985. The story is about a new student named Paul Abrams. He tries to make a big change at a high school where no one seems to care about anything!
Contents
What is Don't Care High About?
Paul Abrams has just moved to New York. He starts tenth grade at a new school called Don Carey High School. This school has a nickname: "Don't Care High." That's because the students don't seem to care much about school or anything else.
Paul notices that no one at his new school cares. So, he decides to try and change things. He nominates Mike Otis for student council president. Mike is a quiet and mysterious student. No one else runs against him, so Mike easily wins the election. He is the first student president since 1956!
The Otis Report
After Mike is elected, everyone forgets about him. But Paul's best friend, Sheldon, starts to care. Sheldon begins to talk up Mike. He even says Mike is responsible for some needed repairs around the school. As students start to believe this, the teachers notice something is happening.
Paul and Sheldon take their plan to the next level. They create a small newspaper called The Otis Report. This newsletter criticizes the school staff. It also praises Mike Otis a lot. They hand out the papers while wearing masks and roller skates. Because of this, Mike is removed from his role as student body president.
Fighting for Mike
Paul and Sheldon decide to fight back. They start a campaign to get Mike back as president. This makes even more students start to care about something.
They find out Mike's real address. It turns out he lives on the eleventh floor of a ten-story building! Paul and Sheldon also learn that Mike is about to fail a class. They see this as another chance to get students involved. Many students now look up to Mike. So, Paul and Sheldon work together to create a big project for Mike.
The project is so good that it gets entered into a science fair. But it is disqualified when the judges find out Mike didn't do the work himself. The students get very upset. As a result, the school is banned from the science fair.
Sports and a Big Win
Next, Paul and Sheldon turn to sports. They announce that Mike likes basketball. This leads to a huge number of students wanting to play the game. They play an away game and win by one point (63–62)! This victory causes a huge, joyful celebration and some damage.
Eventually, the school staff gives in. They confirm Mike as the student body president again. Paul and Sheldon are very happy. They feel like anything is possible now. However, Mike soon announces that he is leaving the school. The students are surprised but plan a big party to celebrate Mike.
Main Characters
Students
- Paul Abrams (16) – He is the new student from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. He tries to make a difference at Don Carey High.
- Sheldon Pryor – Paul's best friend. He is always with Paul and helps him with his plans.
- Michael "Mike" Otis (17) – A quiet and mysterious senior student. His background is a secret, and it's hard to know what he's thinking.
- Feldstein – He is known as the school's "Locker Baron." He unofficially deals with student locker assignments.
- Daphne Sylvester – A very popular student whom Paul likes. However, she is more interested in Mike Otis.
Teachers and Staff
- Mr. Arthur Morrison – A homeroom teacher and guidance counselor. He is always hopeful.
- Mr. Gamble – The Vice-Principal. He seems to be the real boss at the school.
- Principal – No one knows his real name. He cares the least about what happens at the school, as long as he can read the morning announcements.
Paul's Family
- Mr. Abrams – Paul's father. He is excited for Paul to turn 16.
- Mrs. Abrams – Paul's mother. She doesn't always understand her son.
- Auntie Nancy – Paul's aunt. She seems to be in charge of the Abrams family. She encouraged them to move to New York.
