Shelley "Binky" Barnes is a student in Mr. Ratburn's class at Lakewood Elementary School. He is one of Arthur's friends. However, he is also the leader of a club of bullies called the Tough Customers. He ends up in Mr. Ratburn's class for three straight years, since he is repeating the third grade, and then continues with Mr. Ratburn into his fourth-grade class the following year.