After learning about Sherlock Holmes, Humphrey the classroom hamster follows clues to try and discover why Mrs. Brisbane is gone and Mr. E., a fun but not very educational substitute, is taking her place in Room 26 at Longfellow School.

A.J. and his friends think that Ms. Todd is the strangest substitute teacher in the world, and they decide to investigate her.

While stuck in the school during a blizzard, Robert Arthur and his companions face off against an evil substitute teacher and an army of beasts.

When her substitute teacher realizes she is struggling in math, Judy is sent to a math tutor at the local college and soon is completely into the spirit of college life.

In a series of letters a student laments the absence of her teacher and daily routine, but she soon realizes there are benefits to mixing things up, and that perhaps having a substitue teacher is not so bad afterall.

"Dive into four . . . stories about Narwhal and Jelly becoming substitute teachers! The two best friends come across an enthusiastic school of fish one morning. Unfortunately, Mr. Blowfish, their teacher, has come down with a cold, and class will have to be cancelled--until Professor Knowell (Narwhal) and Super Teacher (Jelly) volunteer to help out!"--Provided by publisher.

Jamaica copies from a friend during a spelling test because she wants a perfect paper, but her substitute teacher Mrs. Duval helps her understand that she does not have to be perfect to be special.