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, ready to take notes. Madison is so happy to have all her new friends in the same class as her, but she’s still not entirely comfortable at school, especially during partner reading, when her stomach tightens a little. 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 that they’re going to have an assignment to write a report about someone who inspires them. It can be anybody, and Madison’s head immediately starts racing. She could research Amelia Earhart, Martin Luther King Jr., or Abraham Lincoln. Then Ms. Chu finishes by saying that at the end of the project, they’ll all have to stand up in front of the class and read their report out loud. Suddenly, Madison’s heart jumps into her throat. They’ll have to read out loud, in front of everyone?

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, who sinks lower in her seat. Now Madison needs to read in front of the class, and she’ll have to do it out loud at the shelter, too.

Ms. Chu pins a sign-up sheet to the whiteboard at the front of the class. She explains that the Shelter Reading Project is volunteer-based, but everyone is encouraged to participate. Several kids in the class immediately spring out of their seats, eager to add their names to the list.

Jasmine turns to her friends, practically bouncing in her seat. This’ll be so exciting, and they should all sign up together. Madison hesitantly admits she’s not sure if she can manage both her writing assignment and reading to the dogs. Keiko suggests she can do both 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, grinning as he waits for the class to quiet down. He announces that the Shelter Dog Reading Project is a grade-wide program, and it’s also a competition. The class with the most volunteers will get a prize pizza party. Everyone goes wild with cheers, but Madison only sighs. Now, refraining from signing up would let her friends down, and it would let down her entire class, too. 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?