Free The Wish Stealers by Tracy Trivas Page A

running off.
    “Bye,” she said. “Garrett, do you still want to do our project on alchemy and the Pennies for the Planet fund-raiser I texted you about?”
    “Yeah,” he said.
    “We have to ask Mr. Blackwell at lunch. He’s the science coordinator and has to give final approval for all the projects at science night.”
    “Okay,” he said.
    “Meet you in the teacher’s section of the cafeteria,” she said.
    “Cool,” he said, walking off.
    Griffin did not notice Samantha in a velvet minidress and knee-high crisscross fur boots lurking by the lockers. “Lunch date?” snarled Samantha.
    “It’s for the science project, Samantha,” said Griffin, willing herself not to wish anything bad on her.
    “The one you’re going to bomb?” taunted Samantha.
    Griffin thought of her grandma. “Our project is gonna rock,” said Griffin, and she walked away.
    At the start of lunch period Garrett, eating a bag of Fritos, was hovering by the water fountain. “Hey,” he said.
    “Hi,” said Griffin.
    “Fritos really make you thirsty,” he said. “You want some? They’re way better than school lunch!”
    Griffin smiled. “No, thanks.”
    Garrett crunched harder.
    Walking over to the teachers’ table, Garrett wiped his greasy Fritos hands on his pants. He smelled like a giant corn chip.
    “Excuse me, Mr. Blackwell?” said Griffin.
    Mr. Blackwell turned to face them. Gooey crumbs stuck to his mustache. “Yes? Is this important enough to disturb my lunch?”
    “Sorry to interrupt,” said Griffin, “but Mr. Luckner said we had to get your approval for our science night project. We wanted to do our report on the alchemists and their contributions to modern-day science. We also wanted to do a fund-raiser that would turn pennies into gold—kinda like the alchemists. A charity called Pennies for the Planet helps kids collect tons of pennies and uses them to stop the destruction of the Amazon rain forest.”
    Still chewing his food, Mr. Blackwell looked at them. “Do you two really think pennies will help save the Amazon rain forest? It’s not worth your effort.”
    Suddenly Griffin felt the “change the world” penny inher shoe start to burn. “We thought we’d try,” she said.
    “Actually, my rock band volunteered to play at science night as free entertainment to try to get donations for the planet.”
    “Really?” said Griffin, looking at Garrett.
    “Yeah, my band is awesome. We could totally raise money!”
    Food dribbled on Mr. Blackwell’s tie. “I had a band once. Every kid thinks he can be in a band. But ninety-nine percent of bands fail. No one shows up to rehearse. Everyone wants it his own way. How long have you had this band of yours, Mr. Forester?”
    “Since last summer,” said Garrett.
    “You’ll see.”
    Griffin reached for her shoe. The sole of her foot was on fire. She took out the labeled penny, and it burned her palm. “Actually, Garrett’s band is amazing. They’re really talented,” she said, even though she had never heard them. “Plus, we already have our first donation: a lucky penny that is worth much more than one cent.” She held out her palm, revealing a coin that shot light like a laser.
    Mr. Blackwell read the label stuck on the penny, and said, “A little penny to change the world . How sweet. Are you two numismatists now?”
    “What?” said Garrett and Griffin at the same time.
    “A new-miss-ma-tist, kiddos. A coin collector of rare and special coins. Look at that! An 1872 Indian Head penny!” His eyebrows scrunched together.
    The coin was on fire, shining streaks of light on the cafeteria ceiling.
    Walking toward the table, Mr. Reasoner, the metalworks teacher, said, “What is that beautiful radiance? Flash anything shiny at a fish or a metalworks teacher, and both will get lured right in!”
    He stooped over and examined the penny in Griffin’s hand. “I know an awful lot about coins. Any kind of metal is my specialty. A 1872 Indian Head penny! What a