Who's Afraid of Fourth Grade? Read Online Free

Guthrie lets them . . .”
    â€œWe drew pictures of our favorite birds,” Suzanne interrupted. “I drew a peacock—with lots of gorgeous feathers.”
    Katie thought about telling her that she’d built a nest to sit in, but she changed her mind. Suzanne would probably just come up with something they did in her class that was even more wonderful. Or at least more normal .
    â€œOh. Well, anyway, I thought maybe you’d want to have a playdate,” Katie said, changing the subject. “I have some homework, but we can...”
    â€œHomework!” Suzanne was shocked. “On the first day? We don’t have any.”
    Katie frowned. That didn’t seem very fair.
    â€œAnyway, Jessica and I already made plans for today,” Suzanne continued.
    â€œOh, I just figured that since we didn’t see each other all day, we could . . .”
    Suzanne shook her head. “My mom thinks I should play with kids in my new class for a while, to get to know them better.”
    â€œOkay,” Katie said quietly.
    â€œMaybe in a few weeks, when we’re used to being with other kids, we can play,” Suzanne suggested.
    â€œSure. Whatever.” Katie didn’t know what else to say.
    As Suzanne and Jessica walked away, Katie noticed that Emma W. was standing nearby. She seemed very sad.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Katie asked her.
    â€œJessica’s my best friend,” she explained quietly. “We play together all the time. But . . .”
    She pointed toward Suzanne and Jessica, who were walking down the street arm in arm. A few tears began to form in Emma’s huge brown eyes.
    Katie knew just how Emma felt. “I know. Maybe we can do something together today,” she suggested. “Do you want to come to my house?”
    â€œSure.” Emma seemed happier. Then her face fell. “Except . . .”
    â€œWhat’s the problem?”
    â€œIt’s just that today’s my turn to take care of my little brother Matthew. He’s in first grade. I was just going to pick him up in the school yard when I saw Jessica and Suzanne.”
    Katie smiled at her. “Why don’t you bring Matthew too? Unless . . .”
    â€œUnless what?”
    â€œWell, is he afraid of dogs? Because I have a cocker spaniel and . . .”
    â€œYou have a dog?” Emma interrupted. “You’re so lucky ! I’ve always wanted a dog. All I have are brothers and sisters.”
    â€œIt’s just me and Pepper,” Katie said as the girls headed over to where the little kids lined up at the end of the day. “I can’t believe Matthew’s in first grade. He was just a baby when you and I were in kindergarten together.”
    Emma nodded. “He’s not even the baby of my family anymore. The twins, Tyler and Timothy, are. They’re two-and-a-half.”
    Wow! Katie was amazed. Emma had five kids in her family. That was a whole basketball team.
    Katie was an only child. Lots of times, she had to play on her own or with Pepper. But her dog wasn’t very good at board games. Katie bet Emma never had to be alone. She always had playmates around. Lucky Emma.
    â€œThere’s Matthew,” Emma said, pointing to a dark-haired boy in a pair of jeans with a tear in the knee. “Oh, boy. Those are brand-new jeans. Well, I guess I can sew a patch on them for him.”
    â€œYou know how to sew?” Katie was amazed.
    â€œSure. My mom taught me,” Emma said. “When you have so many kids, the big ones have to know things like that, so they can help out. Next I hope my mom’s going to teach me to cook. That looks like more fun than sewing.”
    â€œI’m taking cooking classes on Wednesdays,” Katie told Emma. “Maybe you can take them too.”
    Emma shook her head. “I’m not always free on Wednesdays. Sometimes I have to help out at home.”
    â€œOh,” Katie replied, a bit