Read Online Gooney Bird and All Her Charms by Lois Lowry - Free Book Online

heads bent.
    â€œMilky Way wrapper!” Malcolm called. “All crumpled up and very old!”
    â€œProbably not a clue,” Gooney Bird decided.
    â€œDirty mitten!” Chelsea called. “Looks like it was frozen and just melted recently!” She held up a soggy red object.
    â€œHey, is that mine? I lost a mitten at recess last month!” Nicholas ran over to take a look. “No,” he said. “Kindergarten size.”
    â€œBroken pencil!”
    â€œDog poop!”
    â€œPlastic toy from McDonald’s!”
    â€œBubblegum wrapper!”
    All of the children were finding things. They brought their findings, all but the dog poop, to Head Detective Gooney Bird, and she decided that none of them was a clue. Looking at each object, she shook her head. The bells on her jester’s hat rang again and again.
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    Barry reemerged from the back door of the school with Mr. Furillo by his side. Behind them, Bruno ambled down the steps. His tail was still bandaged but he wagged it slightly. Mr. Furillo looked worried.
    â€œBruno’s innocent,” he said. “I’m quite sure. He went home with me last evening and he came to school with me this morning. He hasn’t left my side.”
    Barry nodded. “Bruno has a witness,” he said, “and an alibi.”
    â€œGood,” Gooney Bird said. “I didn’t want Bruno to be guilty.”
    The children and Mrs. Pidgeon all agreed. Bruno was a much-loved dog.
    â€œBut I really wish we could solve the crime.” Gooney Bird sighed. She looked out over the playground. Nothing had changed. Out in the street, for the third time, the same blue car passed slowly again.
    â€œBarry!” Gooney Bird said suddenly. “Write down that car’s license number! It keeps driving past. That’s suspicious!”
    Barry always had a Magic Marker in his pocket. Quickly he pulled it out, peered toward the car, and wrote the numbers on the back of his hand. “What should we do with the number?” he asked.
    â€œI’m not sure. But on TV they always try to get the license number. Could you see who was driving?”
    The children shook their heads.
    â€œA woman, I think,” Mrs. Pidgeon said.
    â€œWas she wearing my blue hat?” Nicholas asked.
    â€œI don’t think so, Nicholas. Sorry.” Mrs. Pidgeon put her arm around Malcolm.
    â€œKids,” she said, “we’d better go back inside. We’ve done everything we can out here. Isn’t that so, Gooney Bird?”
    Gooney Bird frowned. She nodded. “I guess so. Here: I’ll throw the useless clues away.” She gathered the broken toys, the soggy mitten, and the scraps of paper that the children had collected. Then, while her classmates climbed the stairs to return to the building, she took the little pile of things to the trash can by the corner of the building. They all stood by the door and watched her. She looked dejected.
    But when Gooney Bird lifted the lid of the large can, the look on her face changed. The bells on her jester’s hat jingled as she looked up at the class. “Here’s your hat, Nicholas!” she called. She leaned forward, reached into the can, and held up the knitted hat.
    â€œAnd the scarf! Whose scarf was this?” Gooney Bird held up the plaid scarf that had been tied around Napoleon’s neck.
    â€œMine!” Chelsea called. “Yay!”
    â€œIs Napoleon in there, all folded up?” Barry asked.
    â€œNope. But wait—” Gooney Bird leaned forward, reaching into the big can. “Look!” she called, and held up the two balloons. They had lost some air and begun to deflate.
    Standing there while the class watched her, Gooney Bird examined the hat, the scarf, and the two limp balloons. She held them each close to her face with a puzzled look.
    Suddenly she grinned and looked up.
    â€œI’ve solved the crime!” she announced loudly.