08 Super Book Quiz Whiz

Super Book Quiz Whiz That night, Judy slept in fits and starts. She dreamed she was the Princess in Black. She dreamed she was El Deafo. She dreamed she was a mighty fantastic fourth-grade wizard. A wizard with the power to fly faster than the speed of speed- reading. At last it was Saturday. The day of the big Book Quiz Blowout. All morning, Stink could hardly wait for it to be quiz time. It was worse than waiting for the Great Pumpkin, Santa Claus, and the Tooth Fairy combined. At breakfast, Judy read the last chapter of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. Stink read the last chapter of Beverly Cleary's Ralph S. Mouse. Dad didn't even rip out the last pages of their books for reading at the table.

"Exciting day, huh kids?" said Mom. "Do you feel ready for the big quiz game?" asked Dad. "I feel as strong as Pippi did when she lifted up her horse with two hands. I'm Judy Moody, Super Book Quiz Whiz!" Today was going to be mood-tastic! "And I finally memorized all the names of Mr. Popper's penguins," said Stink. "Want to hear? Captain Cook, Greta, Columbus, Victoria, Nelson,

Jenny, Magellan, Adelina, Scott, Isabella, Ferdinand, and Louisa." After breakfast, they got ready to go to the Book Quiz Blowout. Judy dressed up like Pippi Longstocking. She drew freckles on her face and put pipe cleaners in her short braids so they stuck out funny. She wore her lucky high-tops and tucked her lucky penny into her pocket. Stink dressed as a brainiac— aka himself, minus the Cape of Good Answers. When they got to Starlight Lanes, Stink's friend Webster Gomez ran over to them. He was dressed like a worm with glasses and a graduation cap. "I decided to dress like a bookworm. You know, sort of like being your mascot." He held up a printed sign. It read: CONGRATS BOOKWORMS, GRAND CHAMPS. "I made it myself!"

"Thanks," said Stink. "But we haven't won yet." He told Webster all about the Bloodsucking Fake-Mustache Defenders, including the mighty fantastic speed-reading fourth-grader. ".Ay!" said Webster. "But don't forget, the Bookworms are fantastic, too. .Buena suerte! Good luck!" Webster led them over to the Party Room. The

room was abuzz with parents and teachers. And friends like Rocky Zang and Riley Rottenberger and Amy Namey had come with their families. Stink felt a jolt of excitement that made his hair stand up on end. Two long tables were set with name cards, water glasses, and buzzers. Judy and Stink ran to join the rest of the team— Frank, Sophie, and Jessica Finch. Jessica was giving tips for what to do if a team member got nervous. "And if you feel like you're going to get brain freeze," said Jessica, looking right at Stink, "just tap your nose. It really works." Judy stole a glance at the Bloodsucking Fake- Mustache Defenders. Their team was wearing matching team T-shirts— all boys and one girl. The girl had a backpack covered with stickers and buttons about reading. Pencils that said READING ROCKS stuck out of the front pocket. Plastic reading charms hung from her zipper pull— a book bug, a reading trophy, a star. "That must be her," Judy said in a whisper. Gulp. "Mighty Fantaskey, the fourth-grader," said Judy.

"Even her shoes look fourth grade," said Frank. "Check out all her rubber bracelets," said Judy. The girl's arm was lined with bracelets that said things like I HEART READING and KEEP CALM AND READ ON. Around her neck, she wore metal dog tags on a chain. They jingled when she moved. "Wow. Look at all her prizes. So many brag tags," said Sophie. "I bet they say things like STAR READER and READING ROCK STAR," said Jessica. "And READING MACHINE," said Judy. "Have you ever seen so many reading incentives in your life?" asked Jessica. "I bet that backpack is full of book bucks, too," said Stink. Jessica nodded. Frank agreed. Despite all the excitement swirling around them, the Bookworms gawked in awe at Mighty Fantaskey, Fourth-Grader.