by Annie Bryant
“But where’s the box?” interrupted Avery.
“It’s in the Tower,” Miss Pierce said softly. She paused. “Waiting to be filled with the treasures of the next Beacon Street Girls.”
“Wow! That’s us!” said Maeve. “This is better than a movie.”
“Life is always better than fantasy, dear. It’s real,” said Mrs. Fields.
“We won’t be coming up there,” said Miss Pierce. “The Tower is yours now. On your way up, Charlotte, why don’t you ask your father down to have tea with us, please. I want to officially welcome him.”
“Where’s the box?” shouted Avery, crouched like a runner on the starting blocks.
“You know the window that faces Boston and the sea?”
“Charlotte’s window!” said Katani.
“Look to the right of it,” said Miss Pierce.
We raced upstairs to the Tower.
A BRILLIANT CONSTELLATION
First, I had to take down the quote from The Little Prince. Then, all I could see was a knothole in the paneling.
“Look,” said Maeve.
Typical Avery. She pushed the knothole, and behind it was the box.
Katani handed me the key.
“It’s yours, Charlotte,” she said. “You’re the one who made it all happen.”
“Me?” I asked. “But you planned the first sleepover.”
“But if you hadn’t zipped the tablecloth in your pants and ruined my top and met my grandmother and made me so mad, I might never have planned it in the first place.”
“What about me?” said Avery. “I’m the one who found the bell and jumped on the floorboard and…”
“Whatever!” groaned Maeve. “Charlotte, if you don’t try that key soon, I will.”
My hand was shaking when I turned the key to open the box. The girls huddled around.
Katani caught her breath. “It’s so beautiful.”
“Oooh,” said Maeve, touching the velvet inside. “What are you going to put in there, Charlotte?” Maeve asked. “You should be in charge of the first treasure.”
I knew exactly what I was going to put in there. I’d been thinking about it ever since Miss Pierce told us about the box. I walked over to my window seat and picked up Mom’s denim jacket.
“Too big,” giggled Avery. “It’ll never fit.”
I reached into the pocket and pulled out my dad’s new digital camera (this time I had permission). I said, “Ladies, we are going to memorialize this moment.”
“Cool,” offered up Avery.
“Katani,” I asked. “Would you mind getting that sign behind the Lime Swivel?”
I could see Avery pointing excitedly at Marty.
“Yes, Avery,” I assured her. “Marty can be in the picture. After all he is our official mascot. Maeve, you are in charge of posing us all.”
Katani held up the sign as Maeve and Avery cheered and whooped. I have to admit, I was pretty proud of my handiwork. The sign proclaimed “BSGs Forever.”
“Charlotte, this is so fabulous,” said Maeve. “And look everyone, to top it all off Charlotte put hearts for me; diamonds for you, Katani; we can guess who the soccer balls are for; and most importantly, a big bone with a red ribbon for Mr. Marty. Charlotte, you rule!”
I couldn’t help myself. I reached over and gave Maeve a hug. She hugged back.
“OK…” said Maeve, clapping her hands together like a movie director. “Strike your poses girls, and remember, this is for history.”
“Wait a minute,” said Katani, who had been staring intently at my work of art. “You forgot something.”
I started to panic. I had spent all morning on this sign. “What could I have possibly missed?”
Avery came to my defense. “She did not, Katani. This sign looks great. Charlotte thought of everyone, even Marty. You are just being picky.”
“Really picky,” chimed in Maeve.
This was not going well.
In the meantime, Katani was at my desk. She had pulled out my markers and pencils and had begun to draw something on the sign.
Avery yelled at Katani to stop. Maeve told Avery to be quiet. And I…I slumped down in the Lime Swivel, leaned my head back on the chair, and closed my eyes. “Would I ever get anything right?” I wondered.
Suddenly, I heard them all yell.
“You forgot the stars!” they shouted in unison.
It was true. I had forgotten to put stars on the sign. But, it was OK. My friends remembered.
“Let’s get this movie started,” giggled Maeve.
I jumped up and set the timer on the camera. We pulled over a little footstool and Avery arranged Marty on top of a fancy, red velvet pillow. Then she bribed him with a cracker to sit still on top of the stool. We all stood behind Marty, each holding a piece of the sign. Maeve happily ordered us to “Smile for the camera!”
Later when we printed out the picture, Katani made us each cut a lock of our hair to put in the box too. Avery insisted that we put some of Marty’s hair in as well. Maeve wasn’t totally happy with the way her hair looked in the picture and wanted us to do the picture again. But, Katani told Maeve that because she was a redhead, she would always stand out. Maeve was fine with that.
All in all, a great ending to a pretty great day, I thought. And come to think of it, it was a pretty great beginning too.
Epilogue
From: Charlotte
To: Sophie
Subject: friends forever
sophie, ma cherie, u wont believe this. But everything has turned out so fine and great and wonderful. i want u to meet my new friends someday. I know they will love you and u will love them. let’s never 4get each other. OK? we must find a way to stay in touch always.
your friend,
charlotte
From: Sophie
To: Charlotte
Subject: of course friends
but of course I have not forgotten you, dear charlotte. I am so glad you have new friends, but I hope you will still be mine and not forget me. our teacher this year is magnifique. we are doing penpals and I ask him if we can write your class. you and I could match up the kids! maybe I write the boy u tell me about, nick. what do u think? Be sure to ask your teacher.
Love, sophie
On Monday, Ms. Rodriguez announced that our assigned lunch seating was over. “I’m so pleased to see how well you all have bonded over the last several weeks. After this morning’s writing assignment, you may eat anywhere you like.”
Everyone cheered, including the four Beacon Street Girls. We knew we would keep eating together anyway but as Avery explained it later, “Who’s gonna pass up a chance to yell?”
Once we’d settled down again, Ms. Rodriguez asked us to take out our journals.
“Please,” she asked, “reread your first journal entry, your first impression of your lunch group. Then on a separate piece of paper, write what you’ve learned about your lunch group. How does it compare with your first impression? I will be collecting these.”
Second Look at First Impressions
By Charlotte Ramsey
I wasn’t in class to write a first-impressions sheet. You remember why. I’ve learned that when it comes to people, nothing is what it seems. As my friend Avery says, "You can’t label people and stuff them into tiny boxes because not one of us fits.” For example, in my first journal entry, I wrote that Katani was cold. She’s not. She’s a marshmallow disguised as a cactus. She’ll do anything to protect her family and her friends. I wrote that Avery was hyper. Actually, she’s the most focused person I know. When she gets her mind on scoring a basket, or blocking a shot, or changing something she thinks is unfair, there’s no stopping her. Then there’s Maeve. She thinks she’s learning challenged. But I know she’s gifted. She can learn a dance, memorize a script, and imitate a voice faster than anyone I’ve ever met. Sure, I can read a book faster than her, but there’s no one who can read people faster. And which skill is really more important? While I’m hiding i
n a book, Maeve is living out loud, making every moment fun for other people.
In conclusion, my first impression of my three lunch partners was that I would give anything to have them as my friends. I feel exactly the same way today.
Excellent observations. You remind me of another Charlotte, from one of my favorite books, Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White. Like you, that Charlotte was also a true friend and a good writer." Keep writing…and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Charlotte Ramsey as an author in her own right some day.
Ms. Rodriguez
* * *
SCHOOL RULE ASSIGNMENTS
Ms. Rodriguez: Class Files
English 101 Assignment:
If I Could Change a School Rule Letter
My thoughts about overall student
performance:
From the sublime to the absurd!
Reminders:
1. Anna and Joline need guidance
2. Language enrichment for Dillon
3. Betsy—suggest she go to see a comedy and write a review
4. Nick M. has a lot to say—must encourage him to speak up more
* * *
Joline Kaminsky
School Rule Assignment
Dear Ms. Rodriguez:
I can’t stand the new locker room rule—” No Body Talk.” How ridiculous is that? How are girls our age supposed to manage to get dressed and undressed for gym without making a single little comment about stuff that really matters? Yesterday I got yelled at just because I happened to make a couple of tiny observations about somebody’s choice of underwear. I won’t say who because that’s not appropriate but you get my point. How are people going to learn if you don’t let them know that days-of-the-week underpants are NOT cool in seventh grade? Isn’t this kind of what peer teaching is all about? Drop this rule—that’s what I think. (By the way, if it wasn’t for gym class I never would’ve learned how critical it is to shave your legs. Not to mention the whole deodorant thing. Personally I WELCOME criticism—if there ever is any.)
Sincerely,
Joline Kaminsky
Anna McMasters
School Rule Assignment
Dear Ms. Rodriguez:
I just don’t get why seventh graders can’t have open campus. I happen to have an older sister and an older brother and my mom and dad give me all sorts of privileges. I get to watch “R” rated movies and all that kind of stuff. So why can’t I go to Starbucks during study hall? Or at least go down the street and pick up some salad or sushi instead of that gross junk they serve us in the cafeteria? I have to watch how many carbs I eat anyway and there’s nothing in that place but lasagna and French fries.
Sincerely,
Anna McMasters
Betsy Fitzgerald
School Rule Assignment
Ms. Rodriguez:
First, I just want to let you know that I think this is just a wonderful assignment. I really mean it. It’s so important that we students begin to develop a sense of responsibility. This is something I really want to campaign for when I run for class president. Did I mention that to you yet? I think leadership is really important, especially now that I’m in junior high. It’s never too soon to start thinking about these kinds of things. Anyway, I’m actually the sort of person who likes rules. I think they really build character. But one thing that kind of concerns me is that we get study hall AND lunch, and I’m just hoping that everyone can really use study hall to their best advantage. I’m thinking that when I run for class president I might suggest that we start a program called “Study Buddies.” That way we can really help each other to get our work done. I hope you like my suggestions!
Sincerely,
Betsy Fitzgerald
Nick Montoya
School Rule Assignment
Dear Ms. Rodriguez:
This is just a small suggestion, but kids like me who have jobs after school sometimes need a little extra time to get homework done. I help my folks out in their bakery and some nights I don’t finish work until 8 o’clock. Sincerely,
Nick Montoya
Pete Wexler
School Rule Assignment
Dear Ms. Rodriguez:
My brother’s school has big pep rallies before all the football games. I’m not just saying this because I’m really into football, but I think we need more support for sports at this school. Seriously. I kind of like the idea of me and all the other guys jogging into the gym and everybody cheering for us and stuff. I also think football players need extra time off on Fridays to get ready for games. I’m the quarterback on the JV team and I need to really psych myself up for hours before I play. Also, this might be a good time to let you know that every other Friday we play away games, and so I have to miss afternoon classes. Sincerely,
Pete
Dillon Johnson
School Rule Assignment
Dear Ms. Rodriguez:
More school dances would be good.
Sincerely,
Dillon
Robert Worley
School Rule Assignment
Dear Ms. Rodriguez:
I don’t see why we aren’t allowed to swap food at lunch. I am SO sick of tofu salad sandwiches on whole grain bread. If I have to eat one more “Not Dog” I think I’ll keel. One of the guys in my lunch group actually LIKES this stuff. If we were allowed, he could have my “Not Dog” and I could actually eat a real roast beef sandwich—meat! On white bread!
Sincerely,
Robert
To be continued…
Worst Enemies/Best Friends
BOOK EXTRAS
Book Club Buzz
New Tower Rules
Amendments
Trivialicious Trivia
Charlotte’s Word Nerd Dictionary
5 QUESTIONS FOR YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS TO CHAT ABOUT
Have you ever faced challenges similar to the hurdles Charlotte encounters as the new girl at Abigail Adams Junior High?
Does anyone go out of their way to make Charlotte’s first day a little less scary?
In Worst Enemies/Best Friends, many of the characters find inspiration from different sources: quotations, books, friends, the Tower room, and the stars. What inspires you?
Why is the Tower room special for each of the girls?
What is the biggest obstacle for the Beacon Street Girls in terms of becoming friends?
more worst enemies/best friends Book Club Buzz at beaconstreetgirls.com
* * *
THE NEW TOWER RULES CREATED BY THE NEWEST ORDER OF THE RUBY AND THE SAPPHIRE
Be it resolved that all girls are created equal!
We will speak our minds, but we won’t be like obnoxious or anything.
We won’t put ourselves down, even if we aren’t super-smart, super-coordinated, or a supermodel.
We’ll be loyal to our friends and won’t lie to them even if they make a mistake or do something totally embarrassing.
We will go for it—how will we know what we can do if we don’t try?
We will try to eat healthy and stay active. How can you chase your dream if you can’t keep up?
We won’t just take from people and the planet. We’ll try to give back good things too.
* * *
* * *
AMENDMENTS:
We can all add as many amendments as we like.
We will dare to be fashion individualistas—like we’re all different so why should we dress the same?
Sometimes we’ll veg out—just because we feel like it!
We should try to save money so if we ever want to, we can start a business or something someday.
We should have as much fun as we can.
* * *
worst enemies/best friends trivialicious trivia
What does Charlotte keep in the pocket of her mom’s old denim jacket? A. journal
B. charm bracelet
C. favorite pen
D. Truffles the Pig
What makes Charlotte’s First Day Lunchtime
Fiasco particularly messy? A. spaghetti sauce
B. fruit punch
C. grape jelly
D. syrup
What is the name of Kelley’s favorite stuffed animal? A. Mr. Bear
B. Miss Mouse
C. Miss Piggy
D. Molly
Whose family owns the Movie House in Brookline? A. Charlotte’s
B. Katani’s
C. Nick’s
D. Maeve’s
What kind of stationery does Charlotte use to write to her Parisian friend Sophie? A. pink with purple flowers
B. barf bags
C. school notebook paper
D. fancy monogrammed C*E*R paper
Where is the secret passage to the Tower? A. the bathroom
B. the ceiling
C. Charlotte’s room
D. Mr. Ramsey’s room
What kind of stones are in the silver key that the BSG find in the Tower? A. emerald and ruby
B. diamond and sapphire
C. ruby and sapphire
D. garnet and amethyst
When does Maeve get the idea for her blanket project? A. when she is curled up in her bed at home
B. during her date with Nick
C. on the first day of school
D. right after her date with Nick
Miss Pierce is a retired… A. astronomer
B. English teacher
C. construction worker
D. dentist
Who was the original owner of the lime green swivel chair? A. Miss Pierce