Go Jump in the Pool

Go Jump in the Pool! is a 1979 children's novel by Canadian author Gordon Korman. This is the second novel in the Macdonald Hall series. It continues the plights and adventures of Bruno Walton and Boots O'Neal. The book was republished in 2003; the text was updated to appeal to today's generation of young readers and to match today's economy (e.g. the pool in the original version cost $25,000. It now costs $50,000). This is one of few titles in the series that did not undergo a name change when republished.
Plot summary
Macdonald Hall is losing all of their swim meets to rival school York Academy, which Bruno and Boots attribute to the school not having their own pool. After one meet, where the York Academy spitefully ignores the traditional handshake at the end, the two friends, after retaliating by dumping 20 lbs of effervescent solution into the pool, take this fact into account and ask Headmaster Sturgeon (aka The Fish) if there would be a chance at all of the Hall would be able to utilize its own pool, but he tells them the institution's fifty thousand dollars short of the cost of such a facility. Thus, Bruno and Boots take things into their own hands. They start off with a flea market (without Mr. Sturgeon first knowing about it) and make $1426. After talking through the idea of fund-raising, Mr. Sturgeon allows them to pursue other means of making money and creates a bank account for them. This includes running a talent show, a photo-contest, and an Individual Effort Day. This is all in close cooperation with Ms. Scrimmage's Finishing School for Young Ladies, the girls-only school across the road. Their efforts in raising money are even more important when Boots reveals he might be transferred to York Academy because his parents think they have a better athletic program. After many fund-raisers, Mr. Sturgeon then tells them that they cannot gain any more money from the students and staff of the school because that is not a reliable source of revenue anymore and if they want to raise money, they have to gain it from outside resources. Dejected, Bruno gets the desperate idea to set up a toll booth on a public road. Before anyone pays them, though, Mr. Sturgeon catches them, and after an awful encounter with Ms. Scrimmage and her students, punishes them severely and notifies them that they cannot raise any more money. He also comes to believe that the pool they desire is borne out of jealousy of York Academy.
Shortly after the punishment, the girls raid Macdonald Hall, in the process giving Bruno and Boots the six thousand dollar cheque they won from entering a cake competition.
Eventually Mr. Sturgeon learns from a mocking phone call by the headmaster of York that many parents of his students, including Boots', are considering transferring students out of the school and into York Academy due to their better athletic program (mainly their pool). Realizing that the boys' attempts at raising money are not a result of pure jealousy, but a fierce loyalty to the school and each other, he takes them off their severe punishment.
While complaining about never getting enough money, Bruno and Boots encounter George Wexford-Smyth III, Boot's wealthy old roommate. He tells them the solution, the stock market, and offers to invest their earnings under his direction. Although leery of this idea, the boys agree and George makes astute investments in a silver mining operation which then makes a spectacular discovery of a major supply of the element. As a result, the boys eventually sell the stock for $64,469.64, which is more than enough for the pool.
Characters
This is a list of the characters in the novel. Each character comes with a common stereotype.
Bruno Walton One of the main characters. He is the dominant wacky best friend of Boots. Usually he conducts various schemes or taskforces which involve Boots or most of the other characters, usually against their will.
Melvin "Boots" O'Neal Bruno's best friend. It is apparent in this book that he is athletic and the captain of most school sports, which trumpets him as a jock. He usually is the one who openly opposes Bruno's normally uncharacteristic or absurd schemes or demands and has a considerable control over his roommate and best friend in keeping him out of trouble.
Elmer Drimsdale The school genius. He is highly intelligent in the maths and sciences and is generally eccentric. He does all of the calculations and money-counting after significant fundraisers.
Wilbur Hackenschleimer A big amateur weightlifter who's a master at shop and eating. He participates in a talent show where he lifts an entire grand piano.
Larry Wilson The office messenger.
Mark Davies The editor of the school newspaper.
Perry Elbert The unfortunate person who tends to have bad luck around Bruno all the time.
Chris Talbot The school's very talented art student.
Peter Anderson The dimwitted but good-natured student. He worries about failing a lot and usually has to do summer school
Sidney Rampulskey The extremely accident-prone student.
George Wexford-Smyth III A rich hypochondriac who is nobody's friend and prefers it that way. He is completely unaware of Bruno and Boots's money-making schemes at first. Once he learns their intentions he helps them reach their goal through the stock market.

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