This Newbery Honor Book by acclaimed author Avi joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content! In this thought-provoking examination of freedom, patriotism, and respect, ninth grader Philip Malloy is kept from joining the track team by his failing grades in English class. Convinced that the teacher just doesn't like him, Philip concocts a plan to get transferred out of her class. Breaking the school's policy of silence during the national anthem, he hums along, and ends up in a crisis at the center of the nation's attention.