All of us watched a picture come on the TV screen. It was our school library. The camera zoomed in on two fifth graders, a girl and a boy, sitting at a table. There was a globe next to them.
“Welcome to South School’s first TV broadcast,” the girl said. “My name is Bria, and this is Kemba.” The boy waved. “We’re not just going to read the lunch menu, or tell you the weather, or whose birthday it is. We are going to talk about what’s new at South School.”
Kemba continued, “And we begin with exciting news! South School has a new art teacher. Please welcome Mrs. Matalata!”
Everyone in Room 3B clapped. We never had an art teacher before! We watched a woman wearing a long, flowing, colored scarf join the fifth graders at the table.
“You have an interesting name,” Bria said. “What nationality is Matalata?”
“Indonesian,” the art teacher replied.
Bria reached for the nearby globe and pointed to a group of islands. The camera panned in on the South Pacific area. “Indonesia is near the Philippines, Malaysia, and Australia,” she said.
“How cool to be from the South Pacific!” Sid blurted out.
“Shhhh!” Mary scolded. “I don’t want to miss a word.”
“What advice do you have for kids at South School who want to be good artists?” Kemba asked.
Mrs. Matalata looked at the camera. “Draw what you love.”
“All right!” Kemba replied.
Bria smiled. “Are you planning anything special for your first week here at South School?”
“Yes. An art show!” Mrs. Matalata said. “We’re going to make posters and display them throughout the school.”
When lots of kids cheered in our room, Harry and I looked at each other.
“Well, that leaves us out,” I groaned. “They only pick the best art for art shows.”
“That’s the way it always is,” Harry said, slouching down in his chair.
“What fun!” Bria replied. “Is there a theme, like Saint Patrick’s Day? It’s coming up this Friday.”
Mrs. Matalata shook her head. “No specific theme. I just want students to draw a poster showing something they care about.”
“Will there be ribbons and prizes for the best posters?” Kemba asked.
“No. This is not a contest,” Mrs. Matalata replied. “Every student will have his or her poster displayed somewhere at South School.”
“Every student?” Harry and I repeated. Harry sat up.
“Yes!” Sid said, throwing his arms in the air.
“I like our new art teacher!” Ida exclaimed.
Mary rolled her eyes. “Okay, Harry,” she said in a low voice, “I hope for your sake your poster is displayed inside a dark closet.”
Harry smiled for the first time that morning. “Actually, Mare, I like your idea. That would be a neat place for a poster,” he said. “Especially if I draw night crawlers. They love the dark.”
Mary cringed. “I was just kidding, Harry! The inside of a closet is a horrible place to hang art!”
I had to laugh.
What came next on the TV program was the biggest news of all.
The art teacher spoke directly into the microphone. “On Thursday, three days from now, I will ask a handful of third and fourth graders to share their art posters on this TV station. Next week, I’ll ask the younger children.”
Room 3B turned quiet.
Go on TV?
Suddenly, our room broke out in cheers. We could hear other kids clapping and cheering from rooms down the hall.
“Oh,” Mary sighed. “I’ve always wanted to go on television. This is my big chance!”
“Mine, too!” Dexter exclaimed. “I want to be like Elvis. He went on TV and made movies!”
Mary took out her package of sixty-four crayons from her art supply box and admired their good condition. They all had points. Then she pulled out her favorite crayon, burnt sienna, and kissed it. No one ever got to borrow that one. Mary always said it was the perfect blend of red and brown.
“I’m ready to make the best poster!” she announced.
