Isabelle Shows Her Stuff: The Isabelle Series, Book Two by Constance C. Greene Read Free Book Online Page A

cried. “You’re the most excellent teacher in the whole world!”
    She raced out of the room and almost bumped into Jane Malone.
    â€œSally Smith is moving,” Jane said. “My mother said I could give her a farewell party.”
    â€œNeat. Who’re you going to ask?”
    â€œThe class.”
    â€œThe whole class!” Isabelle said, astonished.
    â€œYep. My mother says she doesn’t think it would be nice to leave anyone out.”
    â€œYou mean Chauncey and Mary Eliza and everybody?” Isabelle said, remembering parties she’d been left out of.
    â€œYep. Everyone,” said Jane.
    â€œThat’s a lot of mouths to feed,” Isabelle said. “Maybe my mother could help.”
    â€œThat’d be nice.”
    Isabelle raced back and caught Mrs. Esposito just as she was putting on her jacket.
    â€œHow many people are there in the class?” Isabelle cried.
    â€œTwenty-one, I think.” Mrs. Esposito did a little mental arithmetic. “Yes, that’s right. Not counting me,” she said, smiling.
    Isabelle charged back into the hall.
    â€œThere are twenty-one people in the class,” she told Jane. “Not counting Mrs. Esposito. Don’t forget her. You don’t want to leave her out, do you?”
    â€œOh, no,” said Jane. “Thanks for reminding me.”
    Isabelle felt she had done her good deed for the day. Sort of like the Lone Ranger.
    â€œYou’re welcome, Kemosabe,” she said.

Chapter Ten
    â€œHave you heard the news?” Mary Eliza popped out from behind her locker. “Sally Smith is moving!”
    â€œI know. Jane told me,” said Isabelle. “She’s having a farewell party for Sally. She’s inviting everyone.”
    â€œEveryone?” Mary Eliza drew herself up haughtily. “That’s a lot.”
    â€œIt’s twenty-two, including Mrs. Esposito. My mother’s helping Jane’s mother.” Isabelle aimed a neat blow in Mary Eliza’s direction. “Only one cupcake to a person,” she hissed. “That’s the rule.”
    Mary Eliza backed off and hissed back, “I’m getting Sally’s job!”
    â€œWhat job?” Isabelle asked, knowing perfectly well what job.
    â€œArt editor of The Bee.” The Bee was the class paper. Some kids wanted to call it The Bumble Bee but that was voted down as being too buzzy.
    â€œIt just so happens I have a picture with me I drew only this morning.” Mary Eliza dove down into her briefcase and pulled out a drawing of a girl in a ballet suit.
    Mary Eliza was the only person in the fifth grade, maybe even in the entire school, who had a briefcase.
    Isabelle squinted at the picture. “It looks just like you,” she said, “only not as ugly.” Then she put out her arms and soared in circles around Mary Eliza, making airplane noises, preparing for takeoff.
    Insults bounced off Mary Eliza like bullets off Superman. “It’s interesting you should say that, because it is me,” Mary Eliza said with pride. “A good likeness, if I do say so. Notice the placement of the feet, how the arm is extended. Perfect form. I am the artist as well as the artist’s model. You might say I’m a shoo-in to be the new art editor of The Bee. ”
    â€œ You might but you won’t catch me saying it,” Isabelle said. “I wouldn’t say you were a shoo-in if you tied me to a tree and poured honey on my nose so the ants would lick me to death.”
    â€œAnts can’t lick you to death,” Mary Eliza said, crossing her arms on her chest and slitting her eyes, getting ready to pounce.
    Isabelle backed off. She wondered if it was possible to run backwards. She’d never find out until she gave it a try. Moving backwards, she picked up speed.
    â€œHey! Watch where you’re going!” Herbie hollered, as she bumped into him.
    â€œOh, hi. I thought you were still