by Andrea Beaty
“What’s an election commissioner?” asked Iggy.
“The commissioner makes sure the election is fair and that everybody’s right to vote is protected,” said Miss Greer. “They make the ballots and run the election. It’s a difficult but very important job. The election commissioner promises to follow the rules and be fair.”
“I can do that,” said Sofia. “I promise.”
Miss Greer smiled. “Rosie will run the Bird campaign since it was her nominee,” she said. “And Ada will run the campaign for Turtle for the same reason.”
“What about everyone else?” asked someone in the back of the room.
Miss Greer paused for a moment.
“For all of you,” she said, “there remains the most important job of all. A job with the most responsibility of all. A job that requires your time and commitment and dedication.”
“Like a chore?” asked another student.
“No,” said Miss Greer. “Like an honor. You all have the job of getting informed and voting. It is serious and it is important, because it affects everyone.
“You are up to the job,” she said. “But I don’t think it is going to be easy. It’s going to be a lot of work from everyone. What do you think?”
The class cheered again.
For the rest of the day, Miss Greer’s class learned about elections and decided on rules. First, they decided that everyone in Miss Lila Greer’s class would be included in the process. They were automatically registered to vote.
They would have a campaign, with rallies, posters, and speeches! After the campaigns, they would vote, and Miss Lila Greer’s class at Blue River Creek Elementary would have the first democratically elected class pet in the history of the town.
CHAPTER 6
Sofia couldn’t wait to tell Abuelo all the election news when she met him after school.
“I want to hear all about it,” Abuelo said, “but let’s wait for Marisella. I brought her some orejas.”
Just then, Sofia’s cousin waved and rolled over to them in her wheelchair. Abuelo gave her a hug and handed her a paper sack of baked treats.
“Are these for me, Abuelo?” she asked.
“You’re a big sister now,” said Abuelo. “That deserves a special treat. And how is baby Mateo?”
Marisella’s smile faded. “He sneezes all the time and has a rash,” she said. “The doctor thinks it’s allergies.”
“Oh no,” said Sofia.
“Mom made me put Pickles’s birdcage in the laundry room so it’s far from Mateo,” said Marisella.
“He’s allergic to your pet bird?” Abuelo asked.
“They’re doing tests,” said Marisella. “If he is, I’ll have to get rid of Pickles.” Her eyes teared up.
“I’m sorry,” said Sofia, hugging her cousin.
Then—BAM!—an idea smacked Sofia right in the brain. What if Miss Greer’s class adopted Pickles as their new pet? It would be perfect. Marisella could come visit Pickles any time she wanted, and Mateo would stop sneezing.
“Ooh!” said Sofia. “I have a great—”
Then—BOOM!—another idea struck. Bird was one of the candidates for the election, and Sofia was the election commissioner. If she suggested Pickles for class pet, she could change the whole election. That wouldn’t be fair to the Turtle supporters. Her entire job was making sure the election was fair. She had to be very careful about what she said and did. If she even told anyone about Pickles, it could make people change their vote. Anything an election commissioner did had to be for the good of the election, not a candidate.
A sinking feeling came over Sofia. How could she help Marisella and keep her promise to the class to be fair?
“Uh—” she said. “Well . . . Um.”
“Are you okay, Sofia?” asked Abuelo. “You were going to tell us about your election.”
“Maybe later,” said Sofia quietly.
Abuelo gave Sofia his I don’t know what’s going on but I’ll change the subject look.
“So, Marisella,” said Abuelo in a big cheery voice. “Tell me all about this new baby. How are your parents? How is school?”
They headed down the sidewalk with Marisella answering questions, Abuelo munching a cookie, and Sofia feeling like her heart weighed a million, trillion tons.
CHAPTER 7
Sofia didn’t see Marisella the next day and was so busy with the election that she stopped worrying about Pickles.
Every kid in Miss Greer’s class found a way to get involved. Sofia’s team would build a voting booth and make ballots. Some kids joined the Bird campaign with Rosie and some joined the Turtles with Ada. Some didn’t join either campaign. They needed to know more before they made up their minds. Each campaign came up with catchy phrases to get people excited about their candidates. They put these slogans on posters and made buttons to wear.
Both Rosie and Ada tried to convince Sofia to tell the other kids that she supported their candidates. But Sofia couldn’t endorse Bird or Turtle like that. As election commissioner, she had a promise to keep. But even so, Ada and Rosie both stuck pins on Sofia’s satchel when she wasn’t looking. Sofia gave the buttons to Abuelo.
Abuelo’s hat was covered with buttons from different causes he supported. He had been an activist for many years and always tried to help other people who were not being treated fairly. Abuelo believed that everyone could help, and it didn’t matter if you were young or old.
Even though Sofia couldn’t cheer for a candidate, she could still vote. She went back and forth trying to decide who to vote for. When she was younger, she’d had a turtle that had been her mother’s. She’d loved it so much. It would be fun to have a turtle in the classroom every day.
On the other hand, voting for Bird might help Marisella.
Sofia didn’t know what to do, so she was glad when that Friday, Miss Greer suggested they make a class newspaper to explore the election in greater depth. It would be a good way to inform everyone about turtles and birds and how each might behave as a class pet. Sofia loved the idea of including news in their election. After all, the news played a big part in real presidential elections.
“A newspaper would be fun!” said Sofia.
“And important,” said Miss Greer. “Our third president, Thomas Jefferson, said, ‘The only security of all is in a free press.’”
“Our newspaper will be free?” asked Rosie.
“Yes,” said Miss Greer. “But it could cost money.”
“But then it wouldn’t be a free press,” said Iggy.
“A free press means that the government doesn’t tell the paper what to print,” said Miss Greer. “Reporters have freedom to write about whatever they want. That’s important so we can always know what’s going on.”
“Shouldn’t the government just tell us what’s going on?” asked Ada.
“Usually,” said Miss Greer. “But what if we elect a rotten apple? They wouldn’t tell on themselves, would they? That’s where the press can help.”
“That sounds simple,” said Sofia.
“There are many places in the world where it isn’t,” said Miss Greer. “Sometimes it’s dangerous to report the news, and journalists have to be very brave. It’s a tough job.”
“We can do it!” said Rosie.
“I agree,” said Miss Greer.
“This weekend,” she added, “anyone who wants to can write an article. Or you could create a comic to show your opinion. That’s called an editorial cartoon. They can be funny. And powerful. On Monday, we’ll pull it all together into a newspaper!”
CHAPTER 8
Over the weekend, Sofia and her team worked on the voting booth, ballots, and signs encouraging everyone to vote. Each night, she drifted to sleep thinking about the election and her job to make sure it was all fair and square. She was feeling good about it. Maybe the class would be able to pick the best pet and the election would be as smooth as silk.
It was a great feeling.
Then, Monday morn
ing, it all went POOF!
CHAPTER 9
Miss Greer stared at the news stories. She did not look happy.
“This is not what I had in mind,” she said.
“But you said we could write anything we wanted,” said Rosie.
“Yes,” said Miss Greer. “I did. But it has to be true. Look at this: Birds evolved from dinosaurs! But are dinosaurs safe pets?”
“That one is true,” said Ada. “I read about it in my book on dinosaurs.”
“But I didn’t say we should get a dinosaur,” said Rosie. “Just a little bird. That story makes birds sound scary and dangerous.”
Rosie’s cheeks flashed bright red. She frowned at Ada.
Ada frowned back.
“What about your picture?” asked Ada. She pointed to an illustration of a big snapping turtle with the caption “Turtle Terror!”
“Uncle Fred told me that snapping turtles could bite your finger off like an alligator!” said Rosie.
“We’re not getting a snapping turtle!” said Ada.
“Turtles are as scary as alligators!” said someone in the back.
“Dinosaurs are scarier!” someone else replied.
Soon the whole class was arguing about dinosaurs and alligators. Sofia looked at her best friends, who stood frowning at each other. She had to do something. But what? She couldn’t take either side without breaking her promise.
She thought about how Miss Greer got the class’s attention by standing very still. Sofia stood perfectly still. Nobody noticed. Even Miss Greer was too busy trying to get Rosie and Ada to talk to each other to see what Sofia was doing.
The class got louder and louder.
Sofia tried clapping her hands in rhythm, like how Principal Howe did to get their attention at an assembly. Nobody noticed that either.
Sofia thought about Abuelo. He always told her that when he saw a problem, he tried to help. He joined marches and organized people to change things. They used buttons and signs. Marches and letter writing. Sometimes, they quit buying products from companies that were not being fair to people. That was called a boycott, and it got people’s attention.
They had another tool, too. A tool that got people’s attention and helped them come together. That was exactly what the class needed now. Sofia lifted her head high. She cleared her throat. And she began to sing.
CHAPTER 10
If songs could unite marching protestors, they could unite classmates. Unfortunately, Sofia couldn’t remember any of the songs Abuelo sang to her. She couldn’t remember any songs that would inspire people to stop arguing and be kind. At that moment, she couldn’t remember any songs at all.
Except one.
And so, Sofia Valdez sang the one song she could remember. It was familiar. It was easy. It was also the most annoying song in the world.
“Old MacDonald had a farm. E-I-E-IOOOOOO,” Sofia started quietly. It felt weird to be the only one singing while everybody else was arguing. But she sang anyway.
She sang one verse. Then another. And another. With each verse, she sang a little louder. She added the hand motions she and Abuelo had learned at the library when she was little.
She zipped through the OINK-OINKs and the QUACK-QUACKs. She started on the MOO-MOOs. Sofia was on a roll.
She finished at full volume.
As the last note evaporated into the air, Sofia opened her eyes and realized for the first time how quiet a classroom could be when sixteen students and a teacher stood there staring at you with their mouths wide open.
CHAPTER 11
Sofia’s cheeks got hot, and she felt panicky inside.
“Uh . . .” she said. “I learned it at the library . . . Thought it might help . . . It was an emergency . . .”
She waited for the laughter to start. But there was no laughter. Instead, Miss Greer put her hand on Sofia’s shoulder and smiled.
“Oh, Sofia!” said Miss Greer. “That’s it!”
“That’s what?” asked Sofia.
“An emergency!” said Miss Greer. “A library emergency!”
She left the room and returned with the school librarian, Mrs. Catherine Bookbinder.
Mrs. Bookbinder was one of Sofia’s favorite people at Blue River Creek Elementary. She taught all the kids how to do research, and she read books with them. She helped them in the school makerspace, too. She was a great listener and always had the perfect book for everyone. Finding just the right book for just the right person at just the right time was Mrs. Bookbinder’s superpower.
Mrs. Bookbinder also loved hats. She always had the right hat for the right occasion. Her hat collection hung on hooks around the entire library. At the moment, she wore a black fedora with a card stuck into the band. The card said PRESS.
“Miss Greer told me about your newspaper problem,” she said. “I’ve got some great books and resources to help, but our public library has an amazing collection of papers you need to see. I’ve already talked to Mr. Page. He’ll expect you this afternoon.”
“Pack your snacks, class,” said Miss Greer. “We’re going on a field trip!”
CHAPTER 12
That afternoon, the class headed to the Blue River Creek Library. Sofia loved the library and went there often.
The public librarian, Mr. Page, was in a meeting, so they waited by some couches and beanbag chairs. Bee and Beau were there with a very tall, hairy dog and a calico cat. The animals wore red vests that said BLUE RIVER CREEK READING BUDDY.
Everyone knew Bee and Beau. They drove the recycling truck and volunteered at the fire department. Sometimes they brought specially trained pets to the library so kids could read stories to them. Today they had two pets Sofia hadn’t met before.
“Hello!” said Bee, petting a lumpy spotted cat. “This is the Great Catsby!”
Catsby yawned and closed his eyes.
“He’s thrilled to meet you,” said Bee with a chuckle.
“Who is this?” asked Sofia, petting the large, long-haired dog next to Beau.
“This is Fido,” said Beau. “His full name is Fido Dog-stoevsky. He’s a Russian bookhound.”
Fido nudged Iggy’s hand.
“He wants you to read to him,” said Beau. “He loves sad poetry.”
“Where’s Virginia Woof?” asked Sofia.
Virginia was a black dog who was as big as the beanbag chair and just as floppy. She loved it when Sofia leaned up against her and read stories.
“She’s in the doghouse,” whispered Beau. “She accidentally ate a book. Well, she slobbered on it, but Mr. Page is afraid Virginia will eat one.”
“Afraid?” asked a tall, thin man who had appeared suddenly from behind a magazine rack.
“Who’s afraid of Virginia Woof? Not I!” he said, scooting through the crowd of kids. “I welcome all our furry friends. Except when they eat the books! Same goes for kids!”
Mr. Page wore a black vest covered with bumpy pockets, and he held a large magnifying glass.
“Aha!” he said. “That reminds me of a quote from my favorite book.”
He stuck his hand into one of the bumpy pockets and pulled out a teeny-tiny blue book titled Famous Author Quotes. It was the tiniest book Sofia had ever seen. He flipped the book open with his left thumb and held up the huge magnifying glass with his right hand.
“Here it is!” he said. He cleared his throat and read: “Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.”
Mr. Page laughed. “Mark Twain was a smart one!” He stuck the book back into his pocket.
“Virginia Woof can come back,” he said, “if she tries not to slobber so much.” He scratched Fido’s chin with a big smile. “But first, Mrs. Bookbinder phoned about your library emergency!”
He looked through his magnifying glass at the students. He carefully inspected each face. At last, he lowered the magnifying glass and nodded slowly.
“Hmm,” he said. “It looks serious.”
CHAPTER 13
“We had some trouble with our newspaper,” said Miss Greer. “We’re trying to write one with useful and accurate information for our readers. Perhaps you can help us.”
“Aha!” said Mr. Page. “There’s always help at the library!”
Mr. Page was an expert on newspapers. He led them through the town’s collection. The archive had newspapers from Blue River Creek’s earliest days.
“Newspapers have always helped shape our town and our country,” he said. “Good journalism is like a flashlight into the darkness!
“A free press means that the government can’t tell you what to write,” he said. “That’s important, because it means that the newspapers can tell the public when the government does something good and when it does something bad. It lets people know what’s really going on. Without that, democracy gets in trouble.” He reached into a pocket and pulled out a miniature green book. “This is my favorite book,” he said, looking for a specific page.
“I thought the blue one was your favorite,” said Sofia.
“That was my favorite book about author quotes,” said Mr. Page. “This is my favorite book about reporting news. That’s called journalism!
“Good journalism helps you understand all the facts,” he said. “It has to be accurate and tell the good and bad parts of a story. That’s the news part of the newspaper. But journalists also write editorials, where they share their thoughts on the news.
“And sometimes,” he said, “people bend the news to show only their point of view. That’s called bias. Sometimes they do it on purpose, but sometimes they don’t even realize they’re doing it.”
“How can you tell what’s what?” asked Sofia.
“Aha!” said Mr. Page, looking at Sofia through the magnifying glass. “That’s it!”
“What?” asked Sofia.
“That,” said Mr. Page, “is the most important question of all! No wonder they call you kids the Questioneers! You ask all the right questions!”