9Cory is miserable. Just a few weeks into third grade, his normally good grades have turned terrible. And he knows why. It's that new teacher. She dresses weird, doesn't brush her hair, and is the only person in the classroom who laughs at her own dumb jokes. But worst of all, try as he might, Cory just can't seem to understand her. Everything she does upsets him.

Cory's mom knows what to do. She convinces Cory to look for just one thing that he and his teacher have in common ... just one. And if he can find that one connection, he'll get along with his teacher and his grades will improve.

She and Cory agree to try this strategy for one week, Monday through Friday. If he can't find anything about his teacher he likes by then, Mom will have a talk with the teacher. But Mom knows it would be much better for her to guide Cory into solving this problem himself.

As the week progresses, Cory comes home from school each day with the same answer to Mom's same question. No, he couldn't find anything he liked about his teacher today.

As the deadline approaches, Mom starts to worry. What if this teacher truly doesn't have anything to offer? Could Cory remain in her class for years to come? Would he still be in third grade when he was sixteen years old? She could just envision the newspaper headlines if that were to happen.

Does Cory eventually find some common ground with his teacher? Does he eventually pass third grade and maybe even learn to like her? Or does his mom have to have a chat with the teacher, the principal, the school board, or who knows who?

The story of Cory, his mom, and his teacher shows why looking for the best in a person helps us find the gift of connection and understanding.

Author Sandy Adams of Trafalgar, Indiana, employs her experiences as a parent and substitute teacher to fashion a heart-warming tale born out of a real story, though she has "enhanced" the original quite a bit. Children and adults alike will laugh and learn throughout, while also enjoying rich, colorful illustrations by Bryan Werts of Louisville, Kentucky.