Mrs. Kempczinski - Mrs. "K" to all of her third grade students - is everyone's favorite teacher. Young and dynamic, Mrs. K knows sign language, celebrates Worm Day and other exciting theme days, and performs "homework dances." Mrs. K. has also traveled to faraway places like Rio and Beijing, and she promises to "take" her students there through their studies and in books.
Then, suddenly, a substitute teacher comes to teach Mrs. K.'s class, and the school principal explains that Mrs. K. is in the hospital with cancer.