Noodle Up Your Nose by Frieda Wishinsky, Laliberte Louise-Andree

Chapter Two
Late Jake

    The first person to greet Kate at school the next morning was Violet. She cornered Kate near the coat hooks.
    â€œAre you having a party this year?” Violet asked, brushing her long blonde hair. Violet was always brushing her hair. Before Kate could answer, Violet burbled on. “My party is in November and it’s going to be amazing. My mom’s hiring the best magician in town, Magic Merlin. She’s ordering a three-tiered birthday cake from Cake Delight, the best bakery in the world. And wait till you see the gorgeous dress I’m getting from

    Fun Frocks, that new store that sells the cutest stuff. Oh, there’s Lila. Gotta go.”
    And with that, Violet buzzed off to brag about her amazing birthday party to Lila.
    Kate was glad she didn’t have to discuss her party with Violet. She wasn’t having Magic Merlin entertain at her party. She and her mom were baking her birthday cake together. And she hated dresses, so she wasn’t going to wear one, even on her birthday. But she was going to wear great socks. They were red and black stripes. Perfect for a pirate.
    Maybe she’d even wear her red shirt and black pants and pull her straight brown hair back into a ponytail. Maybe she’d cover her eye with a black patch and borrow her mom’s red scarf to wear as a sash. Maybe she’d have a pirate party!
    Kate was so busy dreaming about her party that she didn’t hear the first bell ring.
    â€œKate, hurry!” called Jake, zooming past her into his seat.
    Kate raced into her seat just as the second bell clanged.
    â€œPhew! I was almost late. My alarm clock forgot to ring,” said Jake.
    Kate laughed. “Your alarm clock can’t forget. It’s not alive,” she said.
    â€œIt is alive,” said Jake with a straight face. “It wants me to be late.”
    â€œOh sure,” said Kate.
    Jake was famous for being late. He was also famous for his reasons for being late. Last year in grade one, he told the teacher that he was late because his goldfish died. The trouble was that Jake didn’t have a goldfish.
    The real problem was that Jake loved to sleep in the morning. His mother said that waking him up was like trying to wake up a rock. Jake didn’t hear her say, “Good morning.” He didn’t hear her say, “Get up, Jake.” He didn’t even hear her shout, “Hurry! It’s late, Jake!”
    Last week his mother bought him an alarm clock, but that didn’t seem to be helping much either.
    This morning, Jake wasn’t the only one who was late. Mr. Bolin, their new teacher, dashed into the room five minutes after the bell.
    â€œSorry, class,” he said, huffing and puffing. “My alarm clock didn’t go off this morning. I don’t understand it. I’m sure I set it last night.”
    Jake nudged Kate in the arm. “See,” he said. “His alarm clock is alive too.”

Chapter Three
Pirate Plans

    At recess, Violet skipped over to Kate.
    â€œI hear you’re having a birthday party soon. Are you having clowns? Clowns are so much fun,” said Violet.
    â€œNo,” said Kate.
    â€œOh,” said Violet, turning her nose up. “Then what ARE you doing at your party?”
    â€œWell...I...” Kate began.
    Before Kate could finish her sentence, Violet turned her back and shouted, “Hey Lila. Wait up!” Then she ran off.
    Kate plunked down on a swing and pumped.
    Violet made her so mad. She always asked questions and never waited for answers.
    Up. Down. Up. Down. Kate bent her knees and arms. The swing flew higher and higher.
    Where was Jake? He’d gone to the bathroom before recess, but he promised he’d meet her at the swings.
    â€œHey, Kate M’Mate,” rumbled a voice. It was Jake. He was standing behind her and pushing her swing! Kate didn’t dare turn around to look at him. She knew she’d fall off the swing if