The sick child who, when better, won't return to school. The sensitive child afraid of bullies. The middle-schooler who never does homework. The chronically truant teenager. Whatdo all these kids have in common? The desire to avoid school by whatever means possible - vague illness, deception, pleading. This growing problem affects tens of thousands of students each year. Yet until now there was no help for parents and educators. Former teacher and administrator Elaine McEwan offers readable, timely, and practical solutions to help parents and teachers intervene before school stress becomes school failure."