“What’s the matter with you?” Mac demanded. “This is the third game you’ve said you don’t want to play!” She ticked the games off on her fingers. “First, we played Dominoes and you quit. Then…

By Linda Porter Carlyle Joseph Anderson Donetti stared at the ceiling from where he sleepily lay on the living room rug. He gave a contented sigh. Rain drummed against the side of the house, but…

Joseph Anderson Donetti hurried down the hall to his classroom. He hoped he wasn’t late. He hated being late.

MacKenzie Isabelle Evans watched a large brown maple leaf drift down to the sidewalk. She promptly stomped on it and grinned at the crunching sound. Autumn was her favorite time of the year. And leaf…

By Linda Porter Carlyle Hannah Maria Estevez tugged at her mother’s sleeve. “What are those ladies doing?” she whispered. Mama looked up from the can label she was reading to see two women gesturing excitedly…

Trevor Paul Monroe sprawled across the bed on his stomach. He chewed the end of his stubby pencil while he read the story problem in his math book. Story problems! Trevor sighed. He wished story…

Joseph Anderson Donetti felt his face grow red. “I’m never going to get this!” he exclaimed.

MacKenzie Isabelle Evans bounced on the seat of the school van. “This is so great!” she exclaimed. “I can hardly believe Miss Binney is taking us hiking! I love hiking! Can you believe we’re actually…

Trevor Paul Monroe dug through his sock drawer. There they were! He sat down on the floor and yanked his thick hiking socks over his bare feet. Then he scrambled on his hands and knees…

Hannah’s face grew red, and she stared at the ground. What was Pastor Chuck doing? She had never played a Two-square game like this before! She walked out of the square, embarrassed, and gave the…