2 The New Kid

Two the new kid. HARRIS WALKER LOOKED around his second-grade classroom. He leaned over to his best friend, Roxy Martinez. "I heard that a new boy is joining our class," said Harris. "He moved in next door to me yesterday." "Really?" asked Roxy. "Where's he from?"

"Some place called Tragas," Harris replied. "I tried to look it up online. It's not even on a map!" Their teacher, Ms. Graham, walked into the classroom. "Good morning, class," she said. "We have a new student joining us today."

Harris whispered in Roxy's ear, "See, I told you!" "Harris, is there a problem?" asked Ms. Graham. "No, Ms. Graham," Harris said sheepishly.

"Well then, please pay attention. The new boy's name is Zeke. I want the entire class to make him feel welcome." A whistling sound came from outside the classroom door. Ms. Graham walked over and opened the door. A short boy with dark hair stood in the hall. Harris could see that he was wearing thick, black- rimmed glasses. "You must be Zeke," said Ms. Graham.

"I am," replied the boy. "Well, please come in," Ms. Graham said. "Why did you whistle at the door? Why didn't you just knock?" Zeke looked confused. "Where I come from, that's how we ask permission to come into a room," he explained. Then he took a seat at an empty desk.

"Weird, huh?" Harris whispered to Roxy. "I think it's kind of interesting," she whispered back. Ms. Graham started writing on the board. "Please write this homework assignment in your notebook or tablet," she said. Ms. Graham, noticing Zeke, looked puzzled.