Justine McKeen, Queen of Green by Sigmund Brouwer

To Barbara Kidd, the Green Queen at Arthur Public School.
And a big thank you to two of the greenest families I know:
Ivan, Selena, Sydney and Adam Hucal;
and Morris, Lesia, Myra, Adrian and Kalynna Hucal
    Text copyright © 2011 Sigmund Brouwer
Illustrations copyright © 2011 Dave Whamond
    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without permission in writing from the publisher.
    Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
    Brouwer, Sigmund, 1959-
    Justine McKeen, queen of green [electronic resource] /
    Sigmund Brouwer ; illustrated by Dave Whamond.
    (Orca echoes)
    Electronic monograph in PDF format.
    Issued also in print format.
    ISBN 978-1-55469-928-5
    I. Whamond, Dave II. Title. III. Series: Orca echoes (Online)
    PS 8553. R 68467 J 88 2011 A         JC 813’.54        C 2011-903477-8
    First published in the United States, 2011
Library of Congress Control Number : 2011929400
    Summary : Justine and her friends are all about being green and helping the planet,
one environmental project at time.
    Orca Book Publishers gratefully acknowledges the support for its publishing programs provided by the following agencies: the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund and the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Province of British Columbia through the BC Arts Council and the Book Publishing Tax Credit.

    Orca Book Publishers is dedicated to preserving the environment and has printed this book
on paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council ®.
    Cover artwork and interior illustrations by Dave Whamond
Author photo by Reba Baskett
ORCA BOOK PUBLISHERS       
ORCA BOOK PUBLISHERS
PO B OX 5626, Stn. B
PO B OX 468
Victoria, BC Canada
Custer, WA USA
V 8 R 6 S 4
98240-0468
    www.orcabook.com
Printed and bound in Canada.
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Chapter One
    Justine McKeen sat at a table in the school lunchroom with her two new friends, Safdar and Michael. It was noisy and busy, as usual. The older kids were leaving to make room for the kids in Justine’s class.
    â€œDid you see that?” Justine said. “The guy in the blue hoodie just threw an empty can in the garbage.”
    â€œThe guy in the blue hoodie is the meanest guy in the school,” Safdar said. “He is older and bigger than us too. He can do whatever he wants.”
    â€œYeah,” Michael said. “His name is Jimmy Blatzo. Never, ever call him Fatso Blatzo.”
    â€œThat empty can should have gone in the recycling,” Justine said.
    She set her backpack on the table. She ran toward two older students who were clearing their lunch trays off into the garbage. They stared at Justine as she reached into the garbage can.
    Safdar looked at Michael. “If she’s that hungry, maybe we should give her some of our lunch.”
    Michael poked the food on his tray with his fork. “She’s a fast learner. Only a couple of days at this school, and already she knows garbage tastes better than cafeteria food.”
    â€œHa, ha,” said Safdar.
    â€œWho was joking?” Michael said.
    Justine was holding a juice can and some papers. She stepped toward the recycling bins. She threw the juice in one and the papers in another.
    She joined Safdar and Michael. “I’ll be right back. I need to wash my hands. You know, there was a lot of stuff in the garbage that would be great for a compost. What do you think, guys?”
    â€œThat we’re in trouble,” Michael said.

    â€œFor wanting to recycle?” she asked.
    â€œNo,” Michael said, “because here comes the guy in the blue hoodie. Jimmy Blatzo. Please, please don’t call him Fatso