Phoebe is nervous about reading--she is embarrassed that she will say things wrong, so she just doesn't read at all. When Mrs. Spinelli's class goes on a field trip to the animal shelter to practice reading there, Phoebe is paired with Big Boo, who is scared of her like she's scared of reading. When she starts reading, Big Boo and Phoebe warm up to each other and the two turn their fears into a positive experience.