The Hard Life of Seymour E. Newton

Peter is good at third-grade math. But he is hopeless at writing and spelling. Peter's dad thinks he is lazy. His mom thinks he has changed schools too often. Peter just wants to get sick and stay home.His wish comes true when he gets the flu. Bored with having to stay in bed, Peter watches a spider build a web outside his window and names him Seymour. He sees Seymour patiently rebuilding his web after it is destroyed again and again, by the wind or by Peter's mother's broom. Seymour's perseverance encourages Peter to keep working to overcome his learning problems.