This is the story about Mark Chelmsley. His parents are very rich, and travel all the time so Mark is constantly moving. He winds up in New Hampshire, and his class in going on a week long trip called "A Week in the Woods". The program is run by the fifth-grade science teacher Mr. Maxwell. Mr. Maxwell thinks that Mark is a slacker and a snob, so he is really mean to Mark at first.

With his uncanny knack to reach right to the heart of kids, Andrew Clements asks- and answers- questions about first impressions, fairness, loyalty, and courage- and exactly what it takes to spend a Week in the Woods.