Ellie McSnelly and Carrie O’Toole were running and laughing-their first day of school was today! And they wondered just what was in store. Would this be a good year? Would school be a bore? Everyone remembers feeling excited and nervous each fall on the first day of school. It’s no different for Ellie McSnelly and Carrie O’Toole. But this year,there’s not only a new teacher to meetbut a brand new kid as well. Lazlo S. Gasky doesn’t look or speak quite like the other kidsand no one is sure what to make of him. In factthey respond to his arrival at Brookhaven School by taunting and teasing him. But when Ellie realizes how tough it is for Lazloshe reaches outand after school one day they share an afternoon of soccerstrudeland chess. Besides making a new friendshe and Lazlo teach their classmates an important lesson-one that isn’t in their schoolbooks-about accepting people who are different…and in getting to know Lazlothe kids learn that people aren’t that different from each other after all. From one of America’s most respected journalistsThe Brand New Kid is a heartwarming story about tolerance and the need to give others a chance that will entertain and inspire children and adults alike.