Jane Lynch - Marlene, Marlene, Queen of Mean

For yours, mine, and ours
J.L.
For Haden, Chase, and Lily
L.E.
For Theo
A.E.M.
To Esther
T.T.
Copyright 2014 by Jane Lynch, Lara Embry, PhD, and A. E. Mikesell
All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Random House Childrens Books, a division of Random House LLC,
a Penguin Random House Company, New York.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Lynch, Jane, author.
Marlene, Marlene, Queen of Mean / by Jane Lynch, Lara Embry, and A. E. Mikesell ; illustrated by Tricia Tusa.

First edition.
p. cm.
Summary: Marlene is the class bully until Big Freddy stands up to her. Provided by publisher.
Trade paperback ISBN 978-0-385-37908-3 Library binding ISBN 978-0-375-97329-1 eBook ISBN 978-0-375-98232-3
[1. Stories in rhyme. 2. BullyingFiction.] I.

Embry, Lara, author. II. Mikesell, A. E., author. III. IV. IV.

Title.
PZ8.3.L9892Mar 2014 [E]dc23 2013030729
Random House Childrens Books supports the First Amendment and celebrates the right to read. v3.1

L et me tell you a story of a girl seeking glory, who thought that the best thing to do was to pinch and to kick and to scowl and to flick and to block childrens way to the loo. Marlene, Marlene, the queen of the scene, of the playground, the sidewalk, the school Marlene, Marlene, the queen of the mean, was known for being quite cruel. Though she wasnt so tall (not really at all), the shadow she cast was immense . Shed stand on a chair to gloom and to glare, making everyone feel really tense. Marlene, Marlene (you know who I mean), the girl with a menacing eye her wrath cut like daggers.

Shed strut and shed swagger, till all the kids started to Why? asked Big Freddy, his voice loud and steady, being brave (and a little contrary). Shes Mean Marlene, but really, Ive seen, she isnt so terribly scary. Shes not very tall, not really at all. Its just her shadow thats large. We cringe and we cower and give her our power because we all think shes in charge! And with that, Mean Marlene (who wasnt so keen on her power beginning to fade) put on her best glower
and made her face sour but the kids were no longer afraid. Though she kicked and she pinched, not a single kid flinched, and Freddy said, Youre just a bully. After Freddys decree, they could seecould it be? that despite what shed hoped to imply, behind Marlenes glare, no monster was there. After Freddys decree, they could seecould it be? that despite what shed hoped to imply, behind Marlenes glare, no monster was there.

Mean Marlene was starting to cry! Her tears rose up to melt all the anger she felt