We have a tough day ahead.” I groaned. “What does that mean?” “We’ve got four guys, all meat fishermen.” I must have looked puzzled, because he explained. “They’re going to want to catch and keep as many fish as they possibly can, and not release anything. They’ll want to fill up their coolers wi...
Augie said as we pedaled next to each other on the way to Al’s. “I’m thinking we should call this Operation Doom.” “Yeah!” I said. “Or—hey! How ’bout we call it Operation Ultimate Doom?” “How ’bout Operation Ultimate Doom and Destruction!” Augie came back. “Perfect,” I said. Then I added, “It wou...
Watching them, I thought about how scary it had all seemed to me, even though I hadn’t actually been the target of the attack. I tried to imagine what it must feel like to have that kind of meanness pointed right at you. Manuel was raking gravel off the grass, where it had been tossed by the cars...
She appeared to be fully refreshed after her night’s sleep and ready to go. Erik sat up and looked around at the sun rising pink and new, illuminating the ragged wisps of mist that hovered over the land. In the distance he could see a deer walking cautiously along a line of trees, looking for a p...
After all my daydreaming about meeting an alien, can it actually be happening? I stare at Cam. She doesn’t look very … alien. Whatever that means. Except for those amazing green eyes. She’s got to be kidding, right? The silence starts to grow uncomfortable, and I give a shaky laugh and say, “You ...
I lay in bed, thinking that this vacation had brought both the best and the worst days of my life. I felt tired, and I hadn’t even gotten up yet. When I remembered that it was also the last day to do my stupid assignment for English, I pulled the pillow over my head and wriggled down farther unde...
“There’s some toast here, Allie-Cat,” said her father. “Thanks, Dad,” said Allie. Taking her seat, she reached for a piece of toast and asked, “Is it all right if I take a rake and a broom and some trash bags to school for Earth Day?” Michael banged his cereal spoon on the table enthusiastically....
Moll went through her stores of plants and explained their uses to Lucas, and how best to prepare them. When the weather was fair, they roamed the woods together. Lucas, who had spent his entire life in the Connecticut countryside, felt as if he were seeing it for the first time. Moll pointed out...
Hobbs Six When Allie returned, Mr. Henry was talking to the class about Elders Day. “What are some effective questions you might ask the person you’re interviewing?” he asked. “How about ‘When were you born?’ ” suggested Brad. Pam shook her head. “It’s rude to ask people how old they are,” she pr...
“Let the show go on, Mr. Trask. I’ll take care of this troublemaker. Pea-Head and Calvin, get over here and give a lady a hand.” The crowd cheered and moved aside to let Little Miss Mary step in front of me. She gave me a fierce look and said, “The show’s over for you, mister.” To Pea-Head and Ca...
She knew from Mr. Cutler’s face that there was nothing to find. She looked at Dub, who appeared stunned, and L.J., who was still staring at the ground. She looked down, too, feeling like a balloon that had suddenly lost its air. Except that a balloon couldn’t feel fury and humiliation, the way Al...