As the story begins, Ida drives to school in an old Model T, but her feet don’t reach the pedals, so she has her brother Felix push them for her. Describe how this scene establishes Ida’s character and personality.

Most schools put different grade levels in separate classrooms, but kids of all ages work together in a one-room school. Give reasons why such a system might be both good and bad for learning.

Why does it matter so much to Ida that the other students call her “Miss Bidson” and that she put her hair up at school? What might happen if she let the kids call her Ida while she’s teaching?