Free Sun & Spoon by Kevin Henkes Page A

day of school, too. She taught English at the high school down the street.
    While Billy was eating his pancakes, Papa reread aloud the letter that Ms. Silver, the second grade teacher, had sent during the summer.
    In the letter Ms. Silver greeted the students and said she was looking forward to the new school year. She said that she and her husband had a baby boy at home. And two dogs. She said that second grade would be “a safe, happy year of growth” and “a wonderful, joyful, exciting challenge.”
    Billy stopped chewing when he heard the word challenge. He put down his fork and touched the lump on his head. He didn’t want a challenge.
    Papa continued. “Ms. Silver says you’ll be studying colors and habitats and the world of names.”
    â€œThat sounds like fun,” said Mama. “My students will be studying Beowulf and Paradise Lost.”
    â€œI’d rather be in second grade,” said Papa, smiling.
    Unlike the other fathers Billy knew, Papa stayed home and took care of Sal and the house. Papa was an artist. He was waiting for a breakthrough. That’s what he always said. He was currently working on big sculptures made of found objects. Pieces of old machines, tree limbs, and broken furniture filled the garage and spilled out onto the driveway. They were scattered across the yard, too. Billy loved watching Papa work. There was always something lying around that was fun to play with.
    â€œGotta go,” said Mama. She kissed Papa on his bushy orange beard. She kissed Billy on his lump. “Have a fantastic day,” she said. “And kiss Sal for me when she wakes up.”
    Just like that, Mama was gone, the smell of her lemony shampoo hanging in the air for a moment.
    Papa cleared his throat and shook Ms. Silver’s letter with a flourish. Billy could tell he was trying to be funny In a deep, rumbly voice he said, “This utterly fascinating letter concludes by stating that currently this is, in fact, according to the Chinese, the Year of the Rabbit.” Papa used his regular voice again. “That’s pretty great, don’t you think? The Year of the Rabbit.”
    Billy shrugged. Normally this would have interested him, but he was preoccupied.
    â€œMaybe you’ll have carrots for a snack every day,” said Papa.
    Silence.
    â€œPapa?” said Billy.
    â€œHmm?”
    â€œBut, Papa, will I be smart enough for second grade?”
    â€œOf course you will,” said Papa. He was looking right at Billy, directly into his eyes.
    Billy glanced down at what was left of his pancakes. With his thick, work-gnarled finger, Papa lifted Billy’s chin. Their eyes met and held. “Ms. Silver and the great nation of China might think that this is the Year of the Rabbit,” said Papa. “But I know—and I know everything—that this is the Year of Billy Miller.”
    Billy smiled. He couldn’t not. He repeated Papa’s words in his head. This is the Year of Billy Miller.

Read on for a preview of Junonia

    When Alice Rice and her parents were halfway across the bridge, Alice felt strange. Her breath caught high in her chest and she became light-headed. It seemed as though there wasn’t enough air in the car.
    â€œLook,” said Alice’s mother from the front seat. “It’s beautiful.”
    â€œAs always,” said Alice’s father. He was driving. He slowed the silver rental car. “What do you think, Alice?”
    The sun was blazing. The water—beneath and beyond them—glinted wildly. Seconds earlier, Alice had been thinking that the surface of the water was like glossy, peaked blue-green icing sprinkled with truckloads of sugar. Now, she had to remind herself to breathe. She was dizzy and slightly afraid. Her hands were clenched. What was wrong? This had never happened to her before. She’d always loved the bridge, loved the feeling of being suspended, like a bird, between the