2. A Very Normal Third Grader

Chapter 2 A Very Normal Third Grader Nick's birthday party was on Saturday. On Monday, a new kid came to Marvin's school. Mrs. North introduced him to the class. "Everybody, this is Joe Normal." Joe Normal stood at the front of the room, next to Mrs. North. He wore baggy pants, untied sneakers, a Mickey Mouse T-shirt, and a Dallas Cowboys cap. He looked just like a normal third grader. "Where are you from, Joe?" asked Mrs. North. "Uh … Earth," said Joe. "Just like you." Mrs. North laughed. "Good answer," she said. "But really, what city?" "City?" asked Joe.

Marvin could tell Joe was nervous. He knew he'd be nervous, too, if he had to move someplace and go to a new school. "Uh, Chicago," Joe said. "Located on the southwest shore of Lake Michigan, it's the largest city in Illinois." "What a show-off!" whispered Casey Happleton, the girl who sat next to Marvin. "Chicago is a beautiful city," said Mrs. North. "I'm surprised you're a Cowboys fan, Joe. I would have guessed you'd like the Bears." Joe bit his lip and shrugged. Marvin was surprised Mrs. North knew so much about football. "Well, it's nice to have you with us," said Mrs. North. "I think you'll like it here." "Thank you," said Joe. "You seem like a good teacher. I want to learn as much as I can." Nick groaned loudly. Mrs. North gave Nick the Look. Then she turned back to Joe and said, "I like your attitude, Joe. Why don't I put you next to Nick? Maybe some of your good attitude will rub off on him."

Nick groaned again. Nick sat several desks away from Marvin. He turned toward Marvin and whispered something to him, but Marvin couldn't get what he said. It might have been "What a jerk!" or "What a nerd!" He knew it was "What a something!" Joe sat down next to Nick. "We've been studying mammals," Mrs. North told Joe. "Who can name a kind of mammal?" Marvin raised his hand, but Mrs. North called on Casey. "Bears," said Casey. That was what Marvin was going to say. He lowered his hand. Mrs. North continued to call on other children. "Lions," said Clarence. "Rabbits," said Heather. "Humans," said Stuart. Mrs. North liked that answer. "Very good, Stuart. People are mammals, too. How about you, Joe?" "Uh, sure, I'm a mammal," said Joe. Mrs. North smiled. "No, I mean, can you name another

kind of mammal?" "Oh," said Joe. "Um … Oh, I know! What's that one? It's big and fat and has a really long nose …" "You mean an elephant?" said Nick, beside him. "That's it!" exclaimed Joe. "I couldn't remember what they were called. Thanks." "Duh," said Nick. "That's not nice, Nick," said Mrs. North. "I'm sure there are times you've forgotten a word." jmkfho. "I've never forgotten elephant," said Nick.

"Well, uh, there aren't a lot of elephants in Chicago," Joe explained. "Like there are here?" said Nick. Marvin felt bad for Joe. He knew what it was like to forget a word. Once he couldn't think of the word parade. Mrs. North reminded the class that there would be a test on Wednesday. She asked if anybody had any questions. Joe raised his hand. Mrs. North smiled at him. "Yes, Joe?" "How much does the human brain weigh?" Mrs. North thought a long time, then said, "That won't be on the test."