Free The Secret of the Scarecrow by Carolyn Keene Page A

Nancy stood with Bess and George. She frowned when Deirdre Shannon stepped behind her. Deirdre was spoiled and usually got whatever shewanted. What she wanted now was to win the contest!
    â€œI have the best idea for a scarecrow,” Deirdre bragged loudly. “But I’m not telling.”
    As they filed out of the room George whispered, “I don’t know who’s scarier—Jake McStuffings or Deirdre!”
    â€œI heard that, Georgia Fayne!” Deirdre snapped.
    Nancy watched George’s dark eyes flash. Nobody used her real name except her grandmother—and Deirdre Shannon!
    The art room had its usual paint-and-clay smell as the class filed in. Nancy, Bess, and George ran to an easel set up with paper and colored pencils.
    â€œWhat should our scarecrow look like?” Nancy asked.
    â€œTotally fashion forward!” Bess said.
    â€œHow about a computerized scarecrow?” George suggested. “He can wear blinking lights and maybe talk!”
    â€œIt’s a scarecrow, not a robot!” Bess argued.
    George heaved a sigh. “Sometimes I can’t believe we’re cousins, Bess.”
    Neither could Nancy. Bess had blond hair and blue eyes and loved clothes more than anything. George had dark hair and eyes. She loved computers . . . and clothes, too—as long as they were comfortable enough to do cartwheels in.
    â€œHere’s my idea,” Bess said. She quickly drew a scarecrow. Over it she drew a dark red coat, black leggings, yellow boots, and a hat decorated with flowers.

    â€œPretty!” Nancy swooned.
    â€œNot bad,” George admitted.
    When everyone was done, Ms. Franklin checked out the drawings. Nadine Nardo, Kendra Jackson, and Marcy Rubin designed a sleepover scarecrow wearing colorful pj’s. Peter Patino, Quincy Taylor, and Kevin Garcia were proud of their scarecrow wearing sports clothes and sneakers.
    â€œAfter our scarecrow is in the window,” Quincy explained, “he can be the mascot for our soccer team—the Green Monsters!”
    Next Ms. Franklin checked out Harvey’s sketch. His scarecrow looked just like Jake McStuffings, of course. Leanne’s scarecrow was nothing but a stick figure.
    Nancy couldn’t wait for Ms. Franklin to check out their scarecrow. But she wasn’t the only one. . . .
    â€œLook at my Hollywood scarecrow, Ms. Franklin,” Deirdre called. “Isn’t she glam enough for the red carpet?”
    â€œVery nice, dear,” Ms. Franklin said with a quick glance. She then breezed past Deirdre to Nancy, Bess, and George’s easel.
    Ms. Franklin studied the scarecrow in the flowered hat and yellow boots before flashing a huge smile. “That outfit is fabulous!” she cried. “And we have clothes just like that at Darcy’s.”
    She then turned to the class and said, “You all did an amazing job, kids, but I believe we have a winner.”
    â€œYippee!” Nancy cheered.
    â€œNot fair!” Deirdre snapped while Nancy, Bess, and George high-fived. “They’re detectives—not designers!”
    â€œNow we’re designing detectives.” Bess smiled.
    After the class quieted down, Mrs. Ramirez explained that they would build the scarecrow on Friday before the dismissal bell. That was only three days away!
    â€œDarcy’s will have the most stylish scarecrow ever!” Ms. Franklin declared. “Thanks to Nancy, Bess, and George.”
    â€œYeah,” Deirdre muttered. “Thanks a lot.”
    Nancy, Bess, and George didn’t have time for sore losers like Deirdre. They had just won a major contest—and that called for a milk-and-cookie celebration!

    â€œReady? Go!” Hannah called out.
    Nancy, Bess, and George picked up their glasses of milk and began to drink. Until Hannah said—“Stop!”
    The girls giggled as they quickly put down their glasses. They loved playing Hannah’s stop-and-go