Sixth-grader Alec Spencer sits outside the principal’s office in a chair known as the “Hot Seat.” Alec is no stranger to the Hot Seat, as he is often in trouble. Alec doesn’t disrupt class, nor does he get in fights or misbehave. Alec’s problem is that he can’t stop reading. When he’s supposed to be paying attention in class, he pulls out a book instead. It’s been this way as long as he could read, and no amount of visits to the Hot Seat have changed his behavior. Now, it’s the first day of sixth grade, and he’s in the Hot Seat after being caught reading in his first period.

As the bell rings to signal the end of first period, Alec hears the halls fill with other students, including his former-friend-turned-bully, Kent. Alec tries to keep his head in his book and ignore Kent, who makes loud jokes about Alec being a bookworm.

Alec looks up to snap back at Kent and his buddies, but they all quickly scatter when the principal, Mrs. Vance, opens her door to invite Alec inside.