ONE
Jason Birchall wanted first place in the science fair. So did all the kids in Miss Hersheyâs class.
But Jason was the only one bragging about his project.
He bragged to his friends Eric, Shawn, and Dunkum. He bragged during math, at lunch, and all during recess.
Jason was still talking about his project on the walk home from school. âIâm getting first place this year,â he said. âCan you guess why?â
Eric Hagel and Shawn Hunter shook their heads. âNope,â said Eric.
âNope,â repeated Shawn. âI not.â He was still learning English. Shawn and his brother, Jimmy, had come from Korea.
âHurry up, Jason. Spit it out,â Dunkum Mifflin said. âWhatâs so great about your project?â
Jason spotted Abby Hunter and her best friend, Stacy Henry. âHey, girls,â he called to them. âWanna hear about my science project?â
Abby and Stacy didnât even turn around. They whispered to each other instead.
Theyâre really dying to know , thought Jason.
In the middle of the cul-de-sac, Jason stopped. He put his hands up to his mouth and shouted, âI have the best scienee project in the world!â
Abby glanced over her shoulder.âYouâre going to make yourself disappear, right?â
Stacy Henry giggled.
Eric and Shawn tried not to.
âVery funny,â said Jason.
âCome on,â Dunkum said. âGive it to us straight. Whatâs your project?â
âYes, give us good hint,â Shawn said.
Jason folded his arms across his chest. He looked at his cul-de-sac friends.
And . . . whoosh!
The words shot past his lips. Out into the air they flew. âSuper sprouts,â he said. âIâm growing super sprouts.â
Eric laughed. âAnyone can do that.â
âNot the way Iâm growing them,â Jason said.
âWhatâs so special about it?â asked Dunkum.
Jasonâs voice got louder. âMy sprouts are growing in a piece of carpet.â
Shawn looked puzzled. âMagic sprouts?â
Ericâs eyes got wide. But he was silent.
Shawn grinned at Jason. âYou get first place!â
âYouâre right!â Jason shouted. âAnd next week weâll find out!â
âWe sure will,â Eric said. There was a sly grin on his face. A very sly grin.
Now Jason was worried. He watched Eric run up the steps to his house.
What was Ericâs project? And why was he acting so strange?
TWO
Jason was counting. Three more days until the science fair.
He sat on the beanbag in his room. He was trying to do math. Ten problems for tomorrow.
Jason groaned. He was only half finished.
He couldnât keep his mind on math. He gazed at the windowsill. The super sprouts were growing there in a piece of green carpet.
Jason stared at them. He stared hard.
He imagined a giant trophy floating over the sprouts.
Jason could hear Miss Hersheyâs voice. She was telling the class about his project. Miss Hershey was bragging about him.
âNow for the best student in the class,â she said. âWill Jason Birchall please come forward?â
The kids were green with envy.
Abby and Stacy were pointing.
Eric and Dunkum were leaning forward in their seats.
Everyone was whispering. Jason . . . Jason . . . His name flew around the classroom.
Jason stood up and went to Miss Hersheyâs desk. All eyes were on him.
The teacher held up a shiny, gold trophy. First place!
âWow,â said the kids.
Jason held up his green carpet square and the super sprouts. He held them high.
âJason! Yippe-e-e!â The whole class cheered. Wild, happy cheering.
Z-z-z. Jason was asleep in his beanbag.
The phone rang. Jason jumped.
His mother called to him, âItâs your friend Eric.â
Jason rubbed his eyes. He pulled himself out of the beanbag. âIâm coming,â he mumbled.
He shuffled down the hallway. His mother held out
Heather Gunter, Raelene Green