April 1, Monday

My first day back to school is hot and sunny with no clouds. I am glad to get out of the house. Madrasta doesn’t talk to me, and I try to forget what she did. For a few days I thought she might say sorry, but she hasn’t. Daniel and I get ready and walk through the dusty streets to school. I am glad to see my friends; the girls gather around me and ask how I’m doing. We have a little time to play outside before class begins.

We go inside when teacher calls us. Teacher has given me a new seat right at the front of the class. I wish I could sit in the back like I used to. We rise at teacher’s signal and face the Brazilian flag, hands over our hearts. We sing:

On the banks of the placid river Ipiranga

The resounding cry of a heroic people

And brilliant beams from the sun of liberty

Shone brilliant in the skies of our land

The anthem always gives me goosebumps and makes me feel proud. The words are hard to sing but we children learn them and sing them every day in school. I love the green and yellow of the flag, with a bright blue earth in the center sprinkled with white stars. I think we have the most beautiful national anthem and flag in the world. We learn in school that Brazil is a modern country with a bright future.

Teacher tells us to be seated. I am worried she will call on me to read, but she doesn’t today, and I am happy when Daniel and I walk home.

The weeks pass, and teacher doesn’t ask me to read out loud. When she asks us to read silently, I try but I have to pretend. The end of the year and final exams are getting closer. Once the exams are done, we are on vacation for the winter. I love the winter celebration Festa Junina, and our family celebrates with everyone because the church allows it.