The Chalk Box Kid

Clyde Robert Bulla’s 1987 illustrated children’s chapter book The Chalk Box Kid shares the story of nine-year-old Gregory’s adjustment to a new home and new school. As Gregory struggles to make friends and make the best of his new circumstances, he creates a beautiful chalk garden that reflects his inner world—and when others see it, his art ends up improving his life in several ways. 

Author Clyde Robert Bulla has written over 60 books for young readers. 

This study guide refers to the 2014 Random House Children’s Books paperback edition of the text.

Content Warning: The source material and guide feature depictions of bullying.

Plot Summary

Even though it is his ninth birthday, Gregory stays with his aunt while his mother and father finish moving into a new house. They are moving because Gregory’s father has lost his factory job and is now working as a security guard. Gregory understands why they have to move, but he is upset that it has to be on his birthday and there will be no time for a celebration. Near bedtime, his parents finally come to pick him up. They take him to their new house and he is surprised to learn that, for the first time, he will have a bedroom of his own. He thinks this makes it his best birthday ever.

Unfortunately, the next day it becomes clear that the bedroom is not really his alone. His Uncle Max is moving in, his parents tell him, and will share his room. Knowing that Max will take over the space, Gregory is very disappointed. His new school turns out to be a disappointment, as well. Although Gregory likes his teacher, Miss Perry, some of the kids in his class are offended when he talks about his old school, thinking that he is bragging. They take a dislike to him, and he finds it hard to make friends.

After his first day of school, Gregory explores a burned-out building behind his house. It is quiet there, and he feels relieved that he has found a space of his own. Another bright spot turns out to be one of his classmates, a girl named Ivy. Ivy is shy and hard to get to know, but she is a talented artist—an interest Gregory shares. He compliments Ivy’s work in art class, and she comes over to look at what he is drawing. Gregory learns that the burned-out building used to be a chalk factory. He discovers boxes of chalk and begins drawing on the blackened walls.

One day at school, there is a celebration because Ivy has won an art competition. Miss Cartwright, the art teacher, gives her a beautiful leather case full of art supplies as a special prize. Ivy protests that she is not really the best artist in school, but the teachers assure her that she is.

On another day, a plant nursery owner named Mr. Hiller comes to Miss Perry’s class to talk about gardening. Gregory loves the pictures of plants Mr. Hiller draws and is excited to learn that Mr. Hiller will be bringing in plants for the children to take home to start their own gardens. His mother, however, points out that there is nowhere for him to plant a garden at their house. He decides to turn the walls of the burned-out building into his own garden by drawing plants.

Gregory draws and erases and redraws plants until he has created an elaborate personal chalk garden in the old building. He tries to get his mother and father to come see his work, but they are not interested. He tells Miss Perry about his garden, but he does not tell her that it is made of drawings instead of real plants. She is impressed by what he tells her, but the other children are not. They show up at the burned-out building after school and mock him, telling him that his garden is not real.

The next day at school, Ivy brings her art case and puts it on Gregory’s desk. When Miss Perry asks what she is doing, Ivy explains that she has seen Gregory’s garden, and now she is sure that he is the best artist in the school. She wants him to have her prize. Miss Perry tells Ivy to take the art supply case back, but after school she and Miss Cartwright come to see Gregory’s garden. They are amazed and tell him he is very talented.

The teachers call Mr. Hiller to show him the garden, and he takes a picture of it to hang in his nursery. He runs into Gregory’s father and comments on how proud Gregory’s father must be of his son’s talent. Gregory’s father and mother finally come to see Gregory’s garden and are surprised at how wonderful it is. Even Uncle Max seems impressed. Things get better for Gregory at school once the other students learn how much the adults value Gregory’s artwork. Ivy brings her little brother, Richard, to see the garden, and Gregory knows that he has finally made a friend.