CHAPTER 6

A New Hire

Back in class, I’m having a hard time sitting still. It’s even harder than usual, and not just because we’re working on spelling. We’re supposed to be writing sentences that contain this week’s spelling words, which tie in with our lesson on stereotypes. Ms. Gelson explained that stereotype means when you assume something about other people because of their age, skin color, clothes, where they live, how much money their family has or something like that. Like how not all bullies are big and ugly, but some are short and pretty.

Even though I know eight words are supposed to equal eight sentences, I can’t help but try to shove them all into one sentence so I can move on to free time and plan out a Secret Keeper. Technically Ms. Gelson said, “Use each of these words in a sentence,” so I’m not exactly wrong. I stare at the words:

After a few tries, I come up with a pretty good sentence and go to Ms. Gelson’s desk so she can sign my work. I’m surprised that I’m the first one there. Amina is usually at Ms. Gelson’s desk before all of us, but this time she’s right behind me. Amina’s new to our school, and her work is always perfect. Lining up behind her isn’t great, unless you like being compared to someone who never makes mistakes.

“Wednesday?” says Ms. Gelson. “You’re ready to show me your sentences?”

I open my book. “Yep,” I tell her. “I used all the words.”

Ms. Gelson looks at the page and then back up at me. I smile, and half of her mouth smiles, too. She raises her eyebrows and starts reading.

“Stereotypes are making assumptions about people from the same culture or group and accepting that they are all identical but this makes conflict instead of expecting differences.” My sentence sounds even better when she says it out loud.

Ms. Gelson says, “Hmm,” which is never a good sign. “Well, I guess it fulfills the assignment,” she starts, “but you mixed up two words in here.”

I search the sentence, but I don’t see what she’s talking about. I say it back to myself a few times in my head.

“Ms. Gelson?” Amina says from behind me.

“Yes, Amina?”

Amina smiles at me. “I expect to return my library book during free time. Will you accept Wednesday as my library buddy?”

Ms. Gelson laughs and turns back to me. “Wednesday, if you know the words you mixed up, you can start free time by accompanying Amina to the library.”

I think about what Amina said. “Expecting that they are all identical instead of accepting differences!” I tell Ms. Gelson with a smile, and she gives us permission to leave.

When we’re downstairs, I thank Amina and tell her it was really important for me to finish early.

“Do you need a new book, too?” she whispers as we enter the library. “I didn’t know there were business books in our library.” Amina smiles. Who knew Amina knew so much about me?

“I do need a book, but not to read. Can you keep a secret?” I ask, and Amina nods. “We’re inventing a Secret Keeper.”

“What’s that, and who’s ‘we’? And why would you want a book you won’t read?” Amina asks. She’s standing on a stool, trying to figure out which book to take off the top shelf.

I look around to make sure we’re alone. “Me, Charlie and Mister are the ‘we,’ but I can’t tell you anything else right now because I’m still working it out in my head. If you want to join us, we’re meeting here at lunchtime.”

Amina gets down from the stool. “I’d love to come!”

“You’re hired!” I say. Anyone who wants to run a business knows that you need smart people on your team. “Just eat lunch really fast,” I tell her, “then come straight to the library. And don’t bring anyone with you!”

“Don’t worry,” she says. “I usually eat lunch alone.”

Now that I think about it, I haven’t noticed as much about Amina as she has about me, which doesn’t seem fair. Making friends when you’re the new kid must be hard.

“Well, I’m glad you’re working with us now,” I tell her.

“Me, too,” she says, and we head back to class.