The Unteachables

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2019

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-5

Chapters 6-8

Chapters 9-11

Chapters 12-14

Chapters 15-17

Chapters 18-20

Chapters 21-22

Chapters 23-26

Chapters 27-29

Chapters 30-32

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

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Discussion Questions

Chapters 4-5Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 4 Summary: “Aldo Braff”

Aldo doesn’t like Kiana, because one time she interrupted him kicking the school candy machine for giving him a Mounds bar instead of a Zagnut. He also assumes that Mr. Kermit doesn’t like him because “all the teachers in this dump have it out for me” (32). Aldo doesn’t have a kind word to say about the other kids in room 117 either, including Parker, Barnstorm Anderson (a football player who hurt his knee), and Elaine Ostrover (who’s known around school as Elaine rhymes with pain).

One day, Mateo Hendrickson, another room 117 student, greets Aldo in Klingon, a made-up language from the TV show “Star Trek.” Feeling like Mateo is making fun of him and with the other kids laughing at him, Aldo storms out of the classroom in a haze of rage, almost knocking over Mr. Kermit. In the hall, Aldo punches a locker until “the pressure inside my head goes down” (38).

Emma Fountain, the teacher from the classroom next door, comes into the hall and escorts Aldo back to room 117. Mr. Kermit stares at her and alludes to knowing her mother. Ms. Fountain politely but firmly chastises Aldo for disturbing the school day, explaining that his behavior makes him a drain, or “bucket-dipper.” She encourages him to be someone who helps out, or a “bucket-filler.” Ms. Fountain makes sure he apologizes to the class. When she’s gone, the kids poke fun at Mr. Kermit, realizing that he had a relationship with Ms. Fountain’s mother years ago. Mr. Kermit stomps out of the room.

Chapter 5 Summary: “Mr. Kermit”

Outside, Mr. Kermit reflects on his engagement to Ms. Fountain’s mother and the school scandal that led to them breaking up. He gets into his car to leave, but it won’t start. As he looks under the hood, a pickup truck speeds toward him, stopping inches away. Parker has sped to Mr. Kermit’s rescue. Mr. Kermit asks if Parker can get his car started, and Parker does, though the engine still billows smoke.

Ms. Fountain arrives, again reminding Mr. Kermit of her mother. As she and Parker fix Mr. Kermit’s car, Parker struggles to read the name of the model—he sees Coco Nerd instead of Concorde. The chapter ends with Mr. Kermit’s latest countdown until retirement: “Only 172 more school days to go” (49).

Chapters 4-5 Analysis

Newly introduced characters have their own issues. Aldo Braff struggles with anger management, which manifests as sudden outbursts of rage over small things, a physical sensation of pressure, and a lack of empathy toward others. He gives readers a window into the other students in room 117: TV junkie Mateo Henrickson, injured athlete Barnstorm Anderson and the bullying Elaine Ostrover. It’s clear that teachers and school administrators have written off these kids, though many of them face challenges that are not of their making and need adult invention to address.

Confirming this are the actions of Parker, who rushes outside to help Mr. Kermit start his car. Parker may be dyslexic, but he is skilled with engines. His instinct to help shows that the Unteachables aren’t “bad” kids. Parker feels compassion and is a natural bucket-filler—something we already knew about him from the way he takes care of his grandmother. In this moment, we also see that Parker’s dyslexia doesn’t only have to be an obstacle. After he coins “Coco Nerd,” Mr. Kermit starts calls his car “Coco Nerd” for the rest of the book. It’s the first sign Mr. Kermit is connecting with the kids in room 117.

The arrival of Ms. Fountain, the daughter of the woman to whom Mr. Kermit was engaged, shows how far Mr. Kermit has slid into apathy. Ms. Fountain represents the life Mr. Kermit could have led if he hadn’t the cheating scandal shatter his confidence and give up on being a good teacher. Mr. Kermit and the kids of room 117 mock Ms. Fountain for using Kindergarten tactics to teach middle school, but it is clear that she is a deeply caring, positive teacher whose methods contrast Mr. Kermit’s unchecked negativity.