7. Sam's Big Choice

SAM'S BIG CHOICE 7 Over the next few days, Sam and his friends read Strange Science Experiments to Dazzle and Amaze from cover to cover. They searched every inch of every page. They hunted for hidden messages or secret notes. But there was nothing. They saw nothing that would explain why Orson Eerie would want this book all to himself.

"Coming guys!" Sam shouted. It was Friday morning and Antonio and Lucy were outside Sam's house. They were waiting for him so they could all walk to school together. "Happy Friday, buddy!" Antonio said. Sam stopped in his tracks. "Oh no! I totally forgot! It's Friday!" Sam exclaimed. "Today is the day we have to tell Ms. Grinker what projects we're doing!"

Lucy and Antonio looked at each other. "Um," Lucy said. "But the only science book we borrowed from the library is Strange Science Experiments to Dazzle and Amaze..." "We'll have to choose our projects from that book," Antonio said. I'm not sure this is the best idea, thought Sam. But it was the only choice. Sam knew Ms. Grinker would ask for their choices as soon as class began. He hung his head and trudged back inside. Moments later, he returned with the book. The friends took a seat on the front steps and Antonio carefully turned the book's crinkly pages.

"I'll do this one!" Antonio said, pointing to "Weather Wonders: Hot and Cold." He turned the pages. Lucy's eyes lit up when she saw a project titled "Making Invisible Ink with Lemon Juice." "I'm doing that!" Lucy said. Antonio groaned. "Aw, man! Invisible ink! That's awesome spy stuff!" Lucy laughed. "It's mine now!" "Well, Sam," Antonio said. "What project will you pick?" He passed the book to Sam.

Sam didn't respond. He was focused on the ancient, yellowed pages. I can't believe I'm reading the same book that Orson Eerie read, Sam thought. My fingers are turning the same pages that Orson's fingers turned, over one hundred years ago. Sam hated holding the book. It felt like Orson Eerie was reading over his shoulder. The feeling made Sam's skin crawl. A single experiment caught Sam's eye. It was circled in faded pen and there was a star next to it: "This is the project I messed up in class last week," Sam said.

Lucy pointed to the star. "It looks like it was Orson's favorite." Sam wondered what would happen if he performed Orson Eerie's favorite project at Eerie Elementary. It didn't sound like the note on the first page of the book had been written by a crazy mad scientist. Maybe Orson Eerie hadn't always been evil? Maybe Orson Eerie would be happy to see someone using his favorite book? Sam clapped the book shut. "I'll do it. I'll do the 'Baking Soda Volcano.'" With that, Sam placed the book back inside his house. He wouldn't bring the book to Eerie Elementary. He couldn't risk the school stealing it back.