ONE
Shawn Hunter tuned his violin.
âReady to practice?â his American sister asked.
âAlmost.â Shawn tucked the violin under his chin. He smiled at Abby. âNow ready.â
Abby held the music. âHigh enough?â
âVery good,â Shawn said. It came out like velly good.
Shawn was still learning to speak English. His first language was Korean. Abbyâs parents had adopted him.
It was hard getting used to a new country. And a new school. But music lessons werenât new. Shawn, whose Korean name was Li Sung Jin, loved music. Mostly violin music.
âI start now,â Shawn said.
He drew the bow across the strings. A soaring melody filled the living room.
Abby tapped her toe to the music.
Suddenly, Shawn stopped playing.
âWhatâs wrong?â asked Abby.
âSomething missing,â Shawn said.
He set his violin and bow on the sofa. He hurried down the hall to his bedroom.
Soon, he returned with his soccer ball.
âWhatâs that for?â Abby asked.
âBall help balance me,â Shawn said.
He picked up his violin and bow. He set his right foot on top of the soccer ball. âThat better.â
Abby giggled.
Shawn began to play again.
He practiced major scales. Next he reviewedtwo old songs. He worked on two new ones.
Over and over he practiced. Shawn loved playing his violin. As much as he loved playing soccer.
Shawn liked to dribble and punt. Sometimes he practiced in his big backyard. Mostly when no one was watching.
Practicing in secret wasnât easy. But Shawn was determined to play with the Blossom Hill Blitzers. The team was named for Shawnâs school. He wasnât sure what Blitzers meant. But it sounded good. Fast too.
When Shawn finished practicing his violin, Abby clapped. âYou sound double dabble good!â she said.
âThank you.â Shawn gave a stiff bow.
Woof!
Abby looked at their dog, Snow White.âWhatâs the matter with you?â she asked the floppy-eared pet.
Shawn laughed his high-pitched laugh. âSnow White not like violin music.â
âBad dog,â Abby scolded. She went over and tickled her paws. She was lying on her back. All four legs were sticking up. âShawn makes nice music,â she told Snow White. âYou donât have to play dead.â
Shawn was still laughing. âSnow White need music lesson. She not understand.â
âYouâre right,â Abby said. She put the music away.
Shawn stopped laughing. Now he spoke softly. âSome people not understand, too.â
âWhat?â Abby asked.
âIs not important,â Shawn muttered into his violin case.
Abby insisted. âWhat did you say?â
Shawn was silent.
He put his violin away. Snap! The lid clicked shut.
Abby sat on the floor and touched Shawnâs arm. âSomethingâs bugging you,â she said. âYou canât fool me.â
Shawn sat beside her. âAbby good sister and chingu.â
âFriends talk to each other,â Abby said.
Shawn sighed. His dark, almondshaped eyes grew serious. He pushed his hand through his black hair.
âI not fit in. America hard place for Korean kid. With violin,â he added quickly.
âIt takes time getting used to a new culture. But donât give up,â Abby pleaded. She looked at him. âAre kids at school making fun of you?â
Shawn nodded sadly. âThey have nickname for me.â
Abby frowned. âWhat are they calling you?â
Shawnâs eyes popped open. âAbby mad?â
âYes, Iâm mad!â She stood up. âWhatâs the nickname?â
âThey say make-fun name,â he said. âThey say, âfiddlesticks.â Because I skinny and . . . and small. And play violin. Boys not play violin in America?â
âOf course they do,â Abby said. She puffed air through her lips. âWhoâs calling you