When the substitute for Mr. "Fab" Fabiano never shows up and his sixth-grade students are on their own, they set out to prove that they can run the class by themselves. With a little ingenuity and some careful planning, they might just succeed. But when a fight breaks out between Bastian Fauvell and Rachel White over a classmate, Tommy Feathers, who died six months earlier, everything begins to fall apart. Can Rachel deal with the anxieties that plunged her into silence the day Tommy died? Inventive and uniquely constructed, "Flying Solo" follows Mr. Fab's students hour by hour as they tackle the challenges of an unusual school day. "Fletcher expertly balances a wide variety of emotions...thoughtful, absorbing novel...a story that will linger long after the book is closed." Booklist, ALA, Starred Review The rich and complex emotional lives within a classroom of unsupervised students boil toward eruption the day an exceptional teacher is absent....Fletcher creates a testament to effective teaching in his realistic portrait of Mr. Fabiano as both caring and intelligent. A novel that is funny, real, and often moving. Kirkus Reviews Friday, April 28, 9:00 a.m. Opportunity is knocking at the door of Mr. "Fab" Fabiano's sixth-grade class. Mr. Fab is absent and a substitute never arrives. The class wants to prove that KIDS RULE, so they decide to run the class on their own. Super smart Karen leads the way in the class routines and most of the kids join in. But for Rachel White, this isn't just any other day. Rachel's been silent for six months and communicates by writing notes. Rachel knows today is exactly six months since their classmate Tommy Feathers died. In her own way, Rachel reminds the class about this--and for the first time, Mr. Fab's students reveal their true and sometimes hurtful thoughts. Where is Mr. Fab's class headed now? The school day isn't over yet. Will they keep flying solo or crash? Opportunity is knocking at the door of Mr. "Fab" Fabiano's sixth-grade class. Mr. Fab is absent and a substitute never arrives. The class wants to prove that kids rule, so they decide to run the class on their own. Super-smart Karen leads the way in the class routines and most of the kids join in. But for Rachel White, this isn't just any day. Rachel's been silent for six months and communicates by writing notes. Rachel knows today is exactly six months since their classmate Tommy Feathers died. In her own way, Rachel reminds the class about this -- and for the first time, Mr.Fab's students reveal their true and sometimes hurtful thoughts. Where is Mr. Fab's class headed now? The school day isn't over yet. Will they keep flying solo or crash? Ralph Fletcher is the author of many well-received books for children, including the novels Fig Pudding  and Flying Solo , and the picture books Twilight Comes Twice , Grandpa Never Lies , and Circus Surprise . He lives with his family in New Hampshire. Visit him online at ralphfletcher.com.