Joshua T. Bates is back in a brand-new story that fills in the time between The Flunking of Joshua T. Bates and Joshua T. Bates Takes Charge. After flunking third grade and repeating a semester, Joshua has finally been promoted to fourth grade. But moving forward and fitting in are two different matters. Tommy Wilhelm, Joshua's sworn enemy, is the class leader and Josh will do anything to make sure Tommy doesn't think he's a nerd--like walking in on his first day with a cigarette behind his ear to look cool and stealing his dad's Swiss Army knife to show off at the playground. Luckily, Mrs. Goodwin, Joshua's favorite teacher from third grade, is there to listen and help, and finally Joshua understands that the only way to handle Tommy Wilhelm is to stand up to him.  With moments both funny and poignant, this will be a big hit with fans of the first two books and will win many new fans as well.