National Read A Book Day

from Chapter 3. COURAGE

a pill

(from Sam’s Writer’s Workshop Journal)

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Sam missed only one day of school that year. We’d managed to schedule all doctor, dentist, and orthodontist appointments after school or on “early release” Wednesdays.

At one of our afternoon appointments, Sam’s orthodontist asked him how he liked school.

“I love school! I’m studying ancient Egypt this year,” Sam said before opening his mouth wide.

“Really? Wow! That was unexpected,” Dr. Mitchell said, snapping Sam’s new retainers into place. “You’re in high school now, right?”

“No.” Sam laughed and rolled his eyes. “I’m in third grade.”

He couldn’t wait to show his retainers to his classmates. “Mom, aren’t they cool? They look like watermelon.” He smiled. “Do I look like a teenager now?”

It was the end of January, one morning before school, when Sam said he wasn’t feeling well; that his head hurt, and he felt dizzy. He’d been taking Toprol for a little over a month. Was it the medication? Of course it was—it probably was. He hadn’t complained of headaches and dizziness before. 

“You’re taking a sick day today, Sam.”

“Mommy, I’m not really that sick.”

“That’s okay. We’re gonna play hooky.”

“What’s that?”

“Hooky is when you’re not really sick, but you stay home from school and rest, stay in bed, eat crackers and soup, work on a puzzle, read a good book . . .”

“Can we play hooky and watch a movie?”

I pinched my brow. “What movie?”

“Can we watch Eragon?”

“But you’re reading the book. You sure you want to watch the movie before finishing the book?” I said, though I already knew what his answer would be.

Later that morning, we sat, spellbound, snuggled together under a blanket, Reggie nuzzled between us, and watched the movie Eragon.

“Mommy, the sapphire stone is really an egg. Inside is a baby dragon—a flying dragon!”

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