10 A Star Is Born

CHAPTER 10 A STAR IS BORN Well, it's ten A.M. Showtime!

Everyone in school fills the auditorium. Little kids, big kids, teachers, and relatives— all expecting to be entertained. We huddle together backstage. Doris is in her feathers. Freddy is in his chefs hat. Penny is wearing lipstick. Randy is in his magician's hat. And Eric is wearing a red ball on his nose. That's funny stuff!

The lights slowly dim, the curtain rises, and we point to Eric. He's first. He steps out on the stage. All eyes are on him. He taps the microphone. It sounds like elephants on a giant trampoline. TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP HA He clears his throat and tells his first joke. Everyone laughs.

What do birds Say on Halloween? Twick or tweet. What nut is like a Sneeze? A Cashew! HONK HONK HA

Take TWO eggs. They applaud when Freddy reads his recipe. And they gasp when Randy takes off his hat and pulls out Waldo, our class hamster. SQUEAK! PRESTO! CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP

Derek has tied his hoop to his belt. And he spins around! Penny lip-syncs "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." And everyone in the audience wants to have fun, too! CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP