What could possibly be worse than a blue Monday? For Richard Beast Best, it is a purple Monday, the terrible day he must climb a giant brown rope hanging from the gym ceiling. While classmates like Emily Arrow scurry up the knots with ease, Beast is absolutely terrified. Just looking at the rope makes his head spin. He desperately hopes he can keep his fear a secret from his friends. Things take a turn for the worse when Mrs. Miller, the meanest substitute teacher in the entire school, discovers his secret. She orders him to meet her in the gym after the final bell rings. Is she going to punish him, or is she about to teach him an important lesson? Join Beast as he faces his biggest fears in this highly relatable story about courage, unexpected kindness, and conquering the dreaded gym class.