Madison’s New Buddy

School Surprise

The next day at school, Jasmine takes the seat next to Madison in class and pulls out her notebook. Madison is so happy to have all her new friends in the same class as her. Although she’s still not entirely comfortable at school, especially in partner reading. She feels like it’s only a matter of time until the whole class knows about Madison’s struggles at reading, especially since their teacher, Ms. Chu, is always talking about reading.

After attendance, Ms. Chu explains they’re going to have an assignment to write about someone who inspires them. It can be anybody, and Madison’s head starts racing. She could research Amelia Earhart, Martin Luther King Jr., or Abraham Lincoln. Then Ms. Chu finishes by saying at the end of the project, they’ll all have to stand up in front of class and read their report out loud. And suddenly Madison’s heart jumps into her throat. They’ll have to read… out loud?

And then, it gets worse. Ms. Chu announces that in addition, the entire grade will be participating in a new program—the Shelter Dog Reading Project, suggested by Jasmine! Everybody in the class starts to chitter and chatter with excitement, except Madison. Now not only does Madison need to read in front of class, but she’ll have to do it at the shelter, too.

Ms. Chu puts a sign-up sheet on the white board at the front of the class. She says the Shelter Reading Project is volunteer-based, but everyone is encouraged to participate. Several kids in the class immediately spring up to volunteer.

Jasmine turns to her friends. This’ll be so exciting. They can all sign up together. Madison hesitantly says she’s not sure if she can do both her writing assignment and reading to the dogs. Keiko suggests she can do them at the same time. She can check out books from the library and bring them to the shelter to read.

Principal Brady sticks his head in the door. He says that not only is the Shelter Dog Reading Project a grade-wide program, but it’s also a competition! The class with the most volunteers will get a prize pizza party. Everyone goes wild with cheers, but Madison sighs. Now, refraining from signing up isn’t just letting her friends down, but it’s also letting down her entire class. She slowly rises from her chair and makes her way to the sign-up sheet. How is she going to keep her secret hidden from her friends?