Maker Martha - The Un-Friendship Bracelet

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the authors imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

LITTLE SIMON

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First Little Simon paperback edition March 2018

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Designed by Laura Roode

The text of this book was set in Caecilia.

Jacket illustrations by Xindi Yan

Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available for this title from the Library of Congress.

ISBN 978-1-5344-0908-8 (hc)

ISBN 978-1-5344-0907-1 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-5344-0909-5 (eBook)

Emily! I missed you so much!

Maddie Wilson ran across the classroom and swept Emily Adams into a huge hug. Emily had only been away at her grandparents house for the weekend, but for best friends who called themselves MAD-ILY, two days could feel like forever.

You too! Emily said. She pulled back and looked Maddie up and down. Did you get new... everything? she asked.

Maddie laughed. Nope, I just made some updates. Remember my painting pants?

Emily nodded. She and Maddie had clothing they always wore when they were crafting.

Maddie spun in a circle. Ta-da!

Emily couldnt believe it. The jeans that used to have streaks and splotches of paint all over were now bright green. And instead of the streaks and splotches, there were now patches and buttons! Maddie explained that she had bleached the jeans, dyed them green, and then sewn on all the accessories.

So cool, Emily replied.

Unlike Maddie, Emily was happiest in her overalls. Instead of accessories, they had a million pockets for her tools and tidbits.

Although their outfits were different, they had one thing in common: matching friendship bracelets. The girls had made them together, and they never took the bracelets off their wrists.

Just then the bell rang. Emily and Maddie scrambled to take their seats. Emily sat between Maddie and a boy named Sam Sharma. Sam was pretty quiet, but Emily knew he liked to draw. She knew because occasionally shed peek over at his notebook. It was always filled with doodles and drawings. He drew everything from robots to giraffes to spaceshipshe even created entire worlds.

Emily was about to tell Sam she loved the forest he was drawing when Ms. Gibbons, their teacher, entered the room.

With her was a girl Emily and Maddie had never seen before. The girl had short dark hair, big brown eyes, and a purple backpack that had numbers and symbols written all over it.

Class, said Ms. Gibbons, Id like you to meet Isabella Diaz. Shes a new student here at Birding Creek Elementary, and shell be joining our class. Lets all do our best to make Isabella feel welcome.

The new girl smiled shyly and then whispered something to Ms. Gibbons.

Of course, replied Ms. Gibbons. Isabella just told me that she goes by Bella, so please, everyone, make Bella feel welcome. Bella, why dont you take the seat next to Maddie? Raise your hand, Maddie.

Maddie waved enthusiastically, and Bella went to sit down. Cool backpack, Emily heard Maddie whisper. And I love your key chain.

Emily was about to chime in when she heard Bella whisper back, Thanks. I made it.

No way, said Maddie. Can you show me how?

Sure! said Bella.

Emily looked down at her friendship bracelet and twirled it on her wrist. She knew Maddie was just being friendly and doing what Ms. Gibbons had asked. And Bella seemed nice enough.

No one could come between MAD-ILY... right?

Later that morning, it was math time. As you all know, our charity bake sale is in a couple of weeks, said Ms. Gibbons. Lets polish up our math skills so we can be sure to give customers correct change. Maddie, would you be Bellas partner for math today?

Emily looked up, surprised. She considered reminding Ms. Gibbons that she and Maddie always worked together. But before she could raise her hand, she heard Maddies voice.

Of course!

Emily watched as Maddie and Bella pushed their desks together. It makes Maddie happy to help people , Emily reminded herself. Plus, Ms. Gibbons probably chose Maddie because she knows Im good with numbers and can work without a partner.

Emily tried to be a good sport, but seeing Maddie and Bella whispering and laughing made her heart sink. And her stomach rumble. Thank goodness its almost lunchtime, thought Emily.