Read Online The Mighty Quinn by Robyn Parnell - Free Book Online

Sam.”
    Neally and Quinn continued down the street. “No homework!” Neally hugged her book pack to her chest. “I finished it during reading groups. I’m sorry for inviting your sister without checking with you first. She really wanted to come over, and I didn’t want to leave her out.”
    â€œIt’s okay.”

    â€œI like Mickey. It must be entertaining to have a funny sister, even if she tags along.”
    â€œHow come you don’t have a brother or sister?” Quinn regretted the question as soon as it left his mouth, but Neally didn’t act as if she’d been offended.
    â€œI don’t know. How come you don’t take swimming lessons?”
    â€œI used to. The lessons got boring after a while, for me, anyway, but Mickey loves them. She wants to be in the city swim club. Any kid can join, but you have to try out. Mickey tried out last year.” Quinn kicked at a pile of leaves on the sidewalk and grinned with the memory. “She was the youngest kid to try out for the butterfly, which is the most difficult stroke. Mom and Dad and I went to see her. It was so funny; you should have seen it. It took her two minutes—two whole minutes!—to cross the pool after everyone else had finished the race. She just went up and down in the water, staying in the same place, doing that dolphin kick and the big arm circles.I thought she was drowning at first, but every time her head came up for air she had this big smile on her face. All the adults, even my parents, were trying so hard not to laugh.”
    â€œAnd she still likes to swim?”
    â€œShe loves to swim. She’s lousy at it, but she loves it, which I don’t get. The kid who finished first in the butterfly told her she swam like a spastic snail. She told him she was going to practice all year until her snail legs were strong enough to kick his butt.”
    â€œI knew there was a reason I liked her. Right face, march!” Neally turned the corner to Greenwood Circle. “I can’t wait to find out what my dad thinks about our class. Maybe he’ll let you get a preview of your math grade. I wonder how he liked the ESL kids. I wonder why Lily is in ESL. What do you know about her?”
    â€œNot much. I know she doesn’t really understand how to play tag. She and her parents moved from Africa, last summer, I think. She’s kind of shy—she’ll talk a little bit on the playground, mostly with Janos and Arturo, but she almost never speaks in class, even when she’s called on during the oral quizzes and you can tell that she knows the answer. But you know what? I love the way she talks.”
    â€œI know exactly what you mean.” Neally ran her fingers over a withered rose bush branch that snaked over a split-rail fence at the front lawn of theKing’s house. “Her words are fine, I mean, she uses them correctly, even though sometimes it’s hard to understand her. When she talks it sounds like she’s singing, even if she’s just asking for the bathroom pass. I wonder what country she came from. We could look it up, and—uh oh!” A sharp, raucous yowling started up from the direction of the King’s house. “Kelsey’s Killer Coyotes sound the alarm,” Neally said. “It must be time to cross the street.”

13
MUFFINS OF INFINITY

    Although Neally had considerately suggested that they save some food for Sam, Quinn was having second thoughts. He had just eaten the best muffin in his life, possibly the best muffin on the planet. He took a sip of milk and eyed the chocolate chip banana muffin Mr. Standers had set aside for Sam.
    â€œSeconds, Quinn?” Mr. Standers held out a plate of still-steaming, fragrant muffins.
    â€œSure, thanks.”
    â€œYou’re welcome. I’m glad you like them.”
    â€œThese are ...” Quinn licked chocolate off his finger. “These are the muffins of