9. Socks and Other Surprises

9 Socks and Other Surprises Wednesday Dear first-grade journal, Today is the day for the Thanksgiving feast in Room One. All of the children had to dress up like Pilgrims or Native Americans at the first Thanksgiving. And so that is how come I

told Mother DO NOT MAKE ME A PILGRIM COSTUME. AND I MEAN IT! I could not have been louder, by the way. Only what do you know? Mother said she forgot I told her that. Plus also, she gave the costume job to my grandma Helen Miller. And so-big surprise-this morning Helen brought the costume to my house. AND OH NO! OH NO! IT WAS A STUPID PILGRIM DRESS!

I did a shriek at that thing! Then I ran down the hall and out the back door. And I hid behind the trash can next to the steps. But Mother found me speedy fast. And then me and her had a little tussle. And what do you know? Now I am sitting in my chair at school. AND I AM WEARING A STUPID PILGRIM DRESS! This is the worstest day of my entire school career.

Your friend, Junie B., I DO NOT WANT TO BE A PILGRIM AND I MEAN IT! I slumped in my seat real glum. Then BAM! The morning got even worse! On account of May came running into the room. And she was dressed like a Native American Indian girl. And that is what I wanted to be! I slumped lower in my chair. May hurried down our row. And she poked me in the arm. "Hello, Junie Jones. Hello," she said. "Look at the Thanksgiving costume my mother made for me! I am a Native American Indian girl!" She poked me again. "Look how great this costume is. Look at the fringe on the bottom

of my dress! Look at the beads around the collar! Look at my cute moccasins! Look at the long braid in my hair!" I turned my face away from her. "Look at the back of my head," I said. May ran around in front of me. "Guess what my name is, Junie Jones? My name is Chief May—Chief of Everybody. And I will be bossing around the Native Americans at the feast today. Plus I will be bossing around the Pilgrims, too." After that, she looked me over. "Hmm, let's see it looks like you are a little Pilgrim girl," she said. "A little Pilgrim girl is not the chief of anyone, is she? A little Pilgrim girl is just a girl." She did a smirk. "What is your name, little Pilgrim girl?" she asked. "Do you have a name?" I made squinty eyes at her. "My name is Get Out of My Face, Chief

Nutball," I said back. I do not know where I came up with that great name. These things just come to me. May frowned her eyebrows. "I think your name is Pilgrim Grouchy!" she said. After that, she swung her long braid in my face. And she sat down in her seat. Just then, Mr. Scary came hurrying into the room. He had been talking to someone in the hall. His face beamed at our costumes. "Boys and girls, you look so great in your Thanksgiving outfits!" he said. "We are going to have the best time with our families today." He held up one finger. "And don't forget! Today the office is going to announce who won the Thankful Contest." I did a loud groan. "Great," I grouched. "I'm already hottish