by Nancy N. Rue
“Maybe my daydreaming days are over,” Sophie whispered to her. “I’ll always have an imagination — you need one, you know. All Corn Flakes and other authentic people have imaginations — and they’re themselves — and they never put anybody down. In fact, they even help people they don’t like because they follow the Jesus-way.”
Sophie heard her own voice get husky with tears. “I wish you could be a Corn Flake,” she whispered. “Maybe I just have to believe God will let you, no matter how different you are.”
And then it occurred to her, the truth that — at some level — she’d always known. It made her lean down and kiss her sister’s soft forehead.
“I don’t have to try to fix you. You are your own unique self. Just like me, and Fiona, and Darbie — ”
Hope’s eyes fluttered open. She searched Sophie’s face as if she were waiting for something.
“Do you want to be a baby Corn Flake?” Sophie whispered.
The little tongue popped out. And then Hope’s face brightened into a smile. A wonderful, toothless, knowing smile.
An I-want-to-be-a-Corn-Flake smile.
Sophie smiled back.
And she believed without seeing that Hope would most certainly be one.
Glossary
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (uh-TEN-shun DEF-uh- set hy-pur-ak-TIV-eh-tee dis-or-dur) also known as ADHD, it is a brain disorder (or problem with the brain) that makes it hard to pay attention to the right things
the bejeebers (beh-JEE-burs) no one quite knows what bejee-bers are, but when someone scares them out of you, it means you feel like your stomach almost jumped out of your body in fright
chromosomes (KROH-muh-zohms) these are super long pieces of DNA that have everything a baby needs to become a human. They decide things like your hair color, or if you’re going to be a boy or a girl.
clique (clik) a bunch of friends who don’t let anyone else join their group
contraband (KAHN-tra-band) something that is against the rules, and you have to sneak in
defect (DEE-fekt) something that isn’t the way it should be
dire (DY-er) horrible, disastrous, and can only lead to bad things
eejit (EE-jit) the way someone from Ireland might say “idiot”
flitters (fliturs) 1) a feeling you get when you’re really excited, like when your body gets all shaky; 2) description of something that’s all in pieces
foostering about (foosturing about) an Irish way of saying “wasting time”
the full shilling (the full SHILLing) not all there in the head; acting like your brain cells are missing
genes (jeans) stuff in DNA that your parents pass on to you, which make you who you are. So if you and your mom both giggle the same way, it’s because you have her genes.
heinous (HEY-nus) unbelievably mean and cruel
hysteria (hiss-TAYR-ee-uh) crazy and out of control
impulsivity (impuhl-SIV-eh-tee) always doing things right away instead of thinking about it first; doing things you don’t plan on
incense (INsents) being really angry
jilted (JILLted) describes someone who was suddenly ditched
literally (LIH-ter-uhl-ee) actual fact. So if your homework was eaten by an iguana, it literally happened. Or if you believe something that’s meant to be a joke, then you took it too literally or as fact.
make a bags of (mayk a bags of) do a poor job or screw things up
microscope (mycroskohp) science equipment that makes very tiny things bigger so that you can see them
mondo (MAHN-doh) another word for “extremely”; describes something that’s much bigger or louder than it needs to be
obnoxious (ob-NAWK-shus) really, really annoying
reef (reef) an Irish word that means to beat someone up
remission (re-MIH-shun) when a disease, like cancer, disappears with treatment. If the disease doesn’t come back for many years, the person may be cured.
shenanigans (sheh-NAN-eh-gans) playing around and possibly being a little naughty
somber (SAHM-bur) super serious, and not smiling or finding things funny
unrepentant (un-rhee-PEN-tent) not feeling bad about something you did and refusing to apologize
Sophie Series
Written by Nancy Rue
Meet Sophie LaCroix, a creative soul who’s destined to become a great film director someday. But many times, her overactive imagination gets her in trouble!
Book 1: Sophie’s World
IBSN: 978-0-310-70756-1
Book 2: Sophie’s Secret
ISBN: 978-0-310-70757-8
Book 3: Sophie Under Pressure
ISBN: 978-0-310-71840-6
Book 4: Sophie Steps Up
ISBN: 978-0-310-71841-3
Book 5: Sophie’s First Dance
ISBN: 978-0-310-70760-8
Book 6: Sophie’s Stormy Summer
ISBN: 978-0-310-70761-5
Available now at your local bookstore!
Visit www.faithgirlz.com, it’s the place for girls ages 9-12.
Sophie Series
Written by Nancy Rue
Book 7: Sophie’s Friendship Fiasco
ISBN: 978-0-310-71842-0
Book 8: Sophie and the New Girl
ISBN: 978-0-310-71843-7
Book 9: Sophie Flakes Out
ISBN: 978-0-310-71024-0
Book 10: Sophie Loves Jimmy
ISBN: 978-0-310-71025-7
ZBook 11: Sophie’s Drama
ISBN: 978-0-310-71844-4
Book 12: Sophie Gets Real
ISBN: 978-0-310-71845-1
Available now at your local bookstore!
Visit www.faithgirlz.com, it’s the place for girls ages 9-12.
Bibles
Every girl wants to know she’s totally unique and special. This Bible says that with Faithgirlz! sparkle! Now girls can grow closer to God as they discover the journey of a lifetime, in their language, for their world.
The NIV Faithgirlz!Bible
Hardcover
ISBN 978-0-310-71581-8
Softcover
ISBN 978-0-310-71582-5
The NIV Faithgirlz!Bible
Italian Duo-Tone™
ISBN 978-0-310-71583-2
The NIV Faithgirlz!Backpack Bible
Periwinkle
Italian Duo-Tone™
ISBN 978-0-310-71012-7
Available now at your local bookstore!
Visit www.faithgirlz.com, it’s the place for girls ages 9-12.
We want to hear from you. Please send your comments about this book to us in care of [email protected]. Thank you.
About the Publisher
Founded in 1931, Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Zondervan, a division of HarperCollinsPublishers, is the leading international Christian communications company, producing best-selling Bibles, books, new media products, a growing line of gift products and award-winning children’s products. The world’s largest Bible publisher, Zondervan (www.zondervan.com) holds exclusive publishing rights to the New International Version of the Bible and has distributed more than 150 million copies worldwide. It is also one of the top Christian publishers in the world, selling its award-winning books through Christian retailers, general market bookstores, mass merchandisers, specialty retailers, and the Internet. Zondervan has received a total of 68 Gold Medallion awards for its books, more than any other publisher.
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