Free Clauda Kishi, Middle School Dropout by Ann M. Martin

began his speech a little shyly. "Well, first of all I just want to tell you how cool it was to have those letters and cards you sent. All the kids in the hospital really, really appreciated it." "Hooray for Hospital Buddies!" yelled Margo.
"The other thing I wanted to say is this," continued Jackie, gathering steam. "I'm never, ever going to ride my bike without a helmet again." He looked around at all his friends. "And if I ever see one of you riding without a helmet, you're going to be in big trouble." After that, the party went into full swing. The kids played hide-and-seek (always great in Mary Anne's barn) and freeze tag until they were exhausted. Then they sat down for some more punch, and started to talk about Halloween.
Nicky told everyone how Jordan had helped him put together the "scariest mummy" costume ever.
Charlotte reported that she was going to be a doctor, and that her mom was letting her borrow a white lab coat and a real stethoscope.
Matt was planning to be a baseball player, and so was Jake Kuhn. They decided to trick-or-treat together.
"Too bad the kids at the hospital can't trick-or-treat," said Jackie.
"Oh, man," groaned Nicky. "I never even thought of that. That's awful!" Everyone was upset by the thought of such a tragedy - being in the hospital for Halloween ranks right up there with having the measles on your birthday.
Then, suddenly, Carolyn came up with a terrific idea. "Why don't we each split our trick-or-treat candy with a hospital buddy? That way theywon't miss all the fun." Kristy latched onto the idea and expanded it. By the time the party ended, the kids had planned everything, including a Halloween party. in the children's ward (Kristy was sure she could get permission). The kids in the hospital were going to love it, and so were our charges.
Jackie - and all the other kids - went home happy that evening. The party had been a real success, despite the Walking Disaster theme.
hate to admit it, but I think I've learned something from the experience I'm going through. Here's the thing: no matter how bad something seems at first, you can usually. find some good in it. Also, things are often not as terrible as they first look.
Mature, huh?
That's me, Claudia Kishi. The most mature seventh-grader on the face of the earth.
Sounds sickening, but it's true. The fact is that by Tuesday afternoon I was feeling a whole lot better about being back in seventh grade. For one thing, I was starting to get used to the idea, and so was everybody else. For another, I was discovering that there were some real benefits to being older than 'everybody else in my classes. Namely: I had suddenly become sort of a mini-celebrity.
Let's face it. Seventh-graders can be fairly dorky. There wasn't one person in that whole grade who even approached the level of coolness I've attained - and they all knew it.
The first thing I noticed Tuesday morning was that about ten seventh-grade girls came to school wearing their hair in Pebbles ponytails, just like the one I'd worn on Monday. One of them even asked me where I'd bought the scrunchie I'd been wearing. (When I told her I'd made it, .she looked so' impressed I thought she was going to faint.) Next, I discovered that I'd never have to eat lunch alone again. Kids were shoving each other aside in their rush to find a spot at my table. The girls wanted to talk about clothes and hairstyles. The boys didn't talk much at all; they just kind of stared at me. I wondered if some of them were trying to work up the nerve to ask me out.
In the halls, between classes, I was always surrounded by a bunch of kids. My entourage and I would pass Staceyor Kristy and I'd wave to her.
What a hoot! Also, I was actually doing well in every single one of my classes. In science class I even went so far as to raise my hand when Ms. Spacey asked a question - and when she called on me and I gave the answer, it turned out to be right. I nearly passed out. I'm not sure if Ms. Spacey realized she was