Ida B

In August, Ida B goes to the old tree. What does the tree tell her?

• "It will be all right."

• "Go to London Bridge."

In the barn, Ida B's daddy tells her that she is going to school on Monday. Then what happens? Check all that apply...

• At first, Ida B is too shocked to respond. She then curls up on the floor of the barn and sobs, and her heart shrinks and hardens into something feeling like a black stone, so hard no one could break it and so sharp it would cut anyone who touched it.

• She jumps for joy, because she can't wait to ride the Yellow Prison of Propulsion.

• She wears all black on her first day, and doesn't want ribbons in her hair.

What happens in Ms. Washington's class in room 130?

• Patrice and Simone are chatty, Calvin is uppity, and Ida B helps Ronnie with multiplication (sometimes using Celebrity Challenge [Queen Elizabeth vs. Carl Lewis] and for quarters -- and sometimes they race after school so Ronnie can earn his quarter back).

• Ms. Washington gives Ida B a lot of books. She reads a book in a day or two.

• Ms. Washington reads aloud (well), but when her voice is too worn out, she asks Ida to read a chapter from Alexandra Potemkin and the Space Shuttle to Planet Z, as a Guest Reader, which is a wonderful experience for Ida B.

• Ida brings her parrot Crookshanks in for show and tell.

Ida B is upset that Winston, Philomena and other trees have been cut to make room for Claire DeLuna's family's new house. She climbs Norbert, an old maple, to watch them, and when they come close, jumps down and scares them, causing Claire's little brother to cry and run away. What does Claire say to Ida B before she herself turns and walks away?

• "You're mean."

• "Like, nice try, you don't scare me. I am an orange belt. I am going to get you after school."

What does OK mean to Ida B when used in response to her parents asking her how her day went?

• All Correct

• Overwhelming Kalamity

When Ida B arrives home after her first day of school, who is she mainly trying to avoid?

• Mama

• Daddy

• Rufus

Why doesn't Ida B want to go to the orchard when her Daddy tells her to find something to do?

• The trees have all been cut down.

• The trees that are left won't have anything to do with her.

• The new owners put up "NO Trespassing" signs everywhere.

• She has too much homework.

What was it about Ms. Washington that made softened and lightened everything up in Ida's head and heart?

• her smile

• her clothes

• her hair

• her voice

How does Ida B help Ronnie learn his multiplication facts?

• playing games to earn quarters

• giving him timed quizzes everyday after lunch

• making up songs to help him remember

What big question started cleverly bothering Ida B?

• What if Mama dies?

• What if Claire's family cuts down more of the trees?

• What if I really am mean?