No Room for Francie

Fiction/Primary

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Pauline Books & Media

www.JClubCatholic.org

Macdonald/Richards

$6.95 U.S.

÷

Maryann Macdonald grew up near Detroit. She spent her childhood making things, exploring, and playing games with her seven brothers and sisters. With her husband and two daughters, she lived more than twenty years in England and France. Now she lives in New York City. Maryann has written twenty-five books for children.

She still enjoys making things, exploring, and playing games!

No Room for Francie

Francie O’Leary has a big problem. When she and her friends decide to start a Comics Club, they need a place to meet. But Francie has lots of brothers and sisters, and things are awfully busy at the O’Leary house. How will she come up with a clubhouse? Who will help her get it ready? And will there ever be room for Francie?

By

Maryann Macdonald

Illustrated by

Virginia Helen Richards, fsp 7/12/10 3:56:47 PM

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÷ Chapter 1

A Day at School

“Now then, class,” said Sister Ursula Agnes. “Is everyone ready to do some good, hard work?”

Francie O’Leary wasn’t ready. She was playing dot-to-dot with the freckles on her arm.

Her best friend, Stella Zujak, wasn’t ready either. She was designing a dress for a movie star.

Her other friend, Tamika Brown, wasn’t ready either. She was jiving to a made-up song in her head.

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But Sister Ursula Agnes, their secondgrade teacher, was ready. She loved good, hard work.

“Right!” she said. “Let’s begin.”

She wrote a series of numbers on the blackboard.

Francie sighed. It was Friday afternoon.

She couldn’t wait till three o’clock. She and Stella were going to Tamika’s house. They were going to play and have FUN! But Francie picked up her pencil. It scratched across the paper. What was five plus eight? Who knows? thought Francie. Who cares?

She started playing dot-to-dot again.

“Frances!” said a stern voice. “What are you doing?”

Francie jumped. “Nothing, Sister,” she said.

“NOTHING!” thundered Sister Ursula Agnes. Her eyes flashed behind her steel glasses. Lies upset her.

“You’re drawing on your arm!” Sister

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Ursula Agnes hovered over Francie like a black cloud.

“I’m sorry, Sister,” said Francie.

“Don’t let it happen again, Frances,” Sister Ursula Agnes said. Then she whirled around.

“N I C O B O N F I G L I O ,” she said slowly and firmly, “there will be no spitballs in my class.” She rapped Nicky’s desk with her knuckles.

Francie shivered. How did her teacher know what was happening behind her back?

Brrrrrrrrrring! The bell at last! The whole class jumped out of their seats. They pushed out the door.

Francie met Stella and Tamika outside.

Annabelle Carter was with them.

“Nobody told me Francie was coming,” said Annabelle. She rolled her big blue eyes.

She tossed her shiny blond hair. “What’s that on your arm, Francie?” she asked. “Spider webs?”

Francie extended her arm. “No, Annabelle,”

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she said. “I was drawing your picture. Like it?”

Annabelle stuck her tongue out at Francie.

Francie crossed her eyes at Annabelle. “Nobody told me you were coming, either,” Francie said.

Tamika shrugged. “Annabelle’s got money,” she said. “She’s going to buy us candy at the Sweet Shop.”

Francie nudged Tamika. “We’ve got plans,” said Francie. “Remember?”

Annabelle waved some green bills. “Plans change,” she said. “Come on, Stella and Tamika.

Let’s go.”

“Not without Francie,” said Stella.

“I don’t think I’ve got enough money for her,” Annabelle said.

“I’ll share my candy with Francie,” said Stella.

“Me, too,” said Tamika.

Annabelle sighed. “Okay,” she said. “I guess I can buy something for her.” She glared at Francie. “Are you coming or not?”

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“I’m coming,” said Francie. She couldn’t stand Annabelle. But she loved candy.

“Let’s get gummy candies!” said Stella.

“And malted milk balls!” said Tamika.

“And comic books!” said Francie.

“Yeah!” they all shouted. They ran all the way to the Sweet Shop.

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