Valentine Queen

by Marci Peschke

  Then Randall Jeremiah Johnson gives me a little box.

  “It’s not my party,” I tell him.

  “I know,” he says. “But I got you something anyway.”

  I open the box. Inside is a candy necklace with a note that says:

  I put on the necklace, remembering what Momma said about breaking hearts. “Thank you!” I say. “I am happy to be the Queen of Valentine’s Day and your friend.”

  Randall Jeremiah smiles. “Okay,” he says. Then he adds, “Can I have a bite of your necklace?”

  Boys are so silly! Randall Jeremiah, Lucy, Ugly Brother, and I decide to go sit by the candy bar, because we’d rather eat candy than cake.

  I look around the Party Barn at all my family and friends and smile sweetly as I eat my candy. I sure do feel like a real, true Valentine Queen!

  16. Celebrate Nanny and Pa’s surprise party!

  Marci Bales Peschke was born in Indiana, grew up in Florida, and now lives in Texas with her husband, two children, and a feisty black-and-white cat named Phoebe. She loves reading and watching movies.

  When Tuesday Mourning was a little girl, she knew she wanted to be an artist when she grew up. Now, she is an illustrator who lives in South Pasadena, California. She especially loves illustrating books for kids and teenagers. When she isn’t illustrating, Tuesday loves spending time with her husband, who is an actor, and their two sons.

  anniversary (an-uh-VUR-suh-ree)—a date that people remember because something important happened on that date in the past

  challenge (CHAL-uhnj)—something difficult that requires extra work or effort to do

  conversation (kon-vur-SAY-shuhn)—when you talk with someone for a while

  decorate (DEK-uh-rate)—adding things to make something prettier

  mysterious (miss-TIHR-ee-uhss)—very hard to explain or understand

  permission (pur-MISH-uhn)—if you give permission for something, you say that you will allow it to happen

  project (PROJ-ekt)—a plan or proposal

  request (ri-KWEST)—something that you ask for

  resident (REZ-uh-duhnt)—someone who lives in a particular place

  veteran (VET-ur-uhn)—someone who has served in the armed forces, especially during a war

  1. Talk about your favorite holiday. Is it Valentine’s Day or a different holiday? What do you like about that holiday?

  2. Kylie Jean didn’t know what to do when Randall Jeremiah was teasing her. What are some other things she could have done?

  3. What do you think happens after this story ends? Talk about what else might happen at Nanny and Pa’s surprise party.

  1. Pretend that it’s Valentine’s Day. Create a special valentine for someone you know.

  2. Do your own Be Sweet project! Make a list of sweet deeds you do during the next week.

  3. Pretend that you are in charge of planning a surprise party. Who would you invite? What would your theme be? What decorations would you choose?

  From Momma’s Kitchen

  This is the perfect treat for any Valentine Queen! Just make sure to ask a grown-up for help.

  Love, Kylie Jean

  SWEETHEART COOKIES

  YOU NEED:

  1 tube of premade cookie dough, sugar-cookie flavor

  Pink frosting

  Red, white, and pink sprinkles

  A heart-shaped cookie cutter

  A rolling pin

  A cookie sheet

  A grown-up helper

  1. Ask your grown-up to help you roll out the cookie dough into a 1/2-inch thick circle. Use your cookie cutter to cut out heart shapes.

  2. Bake the cookies as directed, with grown-up help, watching to make sure they don’t get too crispy. Cool completely.

  3. Decorate each cookie with pink frosting. Add sprinkles to the top to make your sweet treats sparkle!

  Yum, yum!

  www.capstonekids.com

  Kylie Jean is published by Picture Window Books

  A Capstone Imprint

  1710 Roe Crest Drive

  North Mankato, Minnesota 56003

  www.capstoneyoungreaders.com

  Copyright © 2014 by Picture Window Books

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Peschke, M. (Marci), author.

  Valentine queen / by Marci Peschke ; illustrated by Tuesday Mourning.

  pages cm. -- (Kylie Jean)

  ISBN 978-1-4795-2352-8 (hardcover)

  ISBN 978-1-4795-3814-0 (paper over board)

  ISBN 978-1-4795-5958-9 (ebook)

  1. Valentine’s Day--Texas--Juvenile fiction. 2. Wedding anniversaries--Texas--Juvenile fiction. 3. Families--Texas--Juvenile fiction. 4. Parties--Texas--Juvenile fiction. 5. Elementary schools--Texas--Juvenile fiction. 6. Texas--Juvenile fiction. [1. Valentine’s Day--Fiction. 2. Old age--Fiction. 3. Family life--Fiction. 4. Parties--Fiction. 5. Schools--Fiction. 6. Texas--Fiction.] I. Mourning, Tuesday, illustrator. II. Title. III. Series: Peschke, M. (Marci) Kylie Jean.

  PZ7.P441245Val 2014

  813.6--dc23

  2013028545

  Summary: Kylie Jean’s grandparents fiftieth wedding anniversary is on Valentine’s Day, and the whole family is planning a surprise party--but Kylie also wants her class to spread valentine cheer to Oak Manor, the local assisted living facility.

  Graphic Designer: Kristi Carlson

  Editor: Alison Deering

  Production Specialist: Eric Manske

  Design Element Credit:

  Shutterstock/blue67design