Colleen Nelson - The Undercover Book List

First published in Canada and the United States in 2021

Text copyright 2021 Colleen Nelson

This edition copyright 2021 Pajama Press Inc.

This is a first edition.

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the publisher or a licence from The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency (Access Copyright). For an Access Copyright licence, visit www.accesscopyright.ca or call toll free 1.800.893.5777.

www.pajamapress.cainfo@pajamapress.ca

The publisher gratefully acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council for its publishing program. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund (CBF) for our publishing activities.

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Title: The undercover book list / by Colleen Nelson.

Names: Nelson, Colleen, author.

Description: First edition.

Identifiers: Canadiana 20210177047 | ISBN 9781772781878 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781772782509 (epub)

Classification: LCC PS8627.E555 U53 2021 | DDC jC813/.6dc23

Publisher Cataloging-in-Publication Data (U.S.)

Names: Nelson, Colleen, author.

Title: The Undercover Book List / by Colleen Nelson.

Description: Toronto, Ontario Canada : Pajama Press, 2021. | Summary: An anonymous correspondence between two seventh graders becomes an unlikely friendship after they start leaving notes in a school library book. Bookish Jane MacDonald is seeking a new friend after her best friend Sienna moves away; reputed troublemaker Tyson Flamand stumbles upon the first note while waiting for a detention. Both end up in a race to improve Tysons gradesand their teachers understanding of himso that he can help complete the school team for Janes cherished Kid Lit Quiz competition and win a trip to the championship in Siennas new city Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: ISBN 978-1-77278-187-8 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781772782509 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: Identity (Psychology) in adolescence Juvenile fiction. | School libraries -- Juvenile fiction. | Helping behavior Juvenile fiction. | BISAC: JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Friendship. | JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance. | JUVENILE FICTION / School & Education.

Classification: LCC PZ7.1N457Un |DDC 813.6 dc23

Cover illustrationScot Ritchie

Cover and book designLorena Gonzlez Guilln

Manufactured by [printer]

Printed in Canada

Pajama Press Inc.

469 Richmond St. E, Toronto, ON M5A 1R1

Distributed in Canada by UTP Distribution

5201 Dufferin Street Toronto, Ontario Canada, M3H 5T8

Distributed in the U.S. by Ingram Publisher Services

1 Ingram Blvd. La Vergne, TN 37086, USA

I didnt want to be late. Not today. But my six-year-old sister, Kate, had been extra picky about the way I braided her hair and then shed stopped to play with our neighbors dog. By the time I dropped her off at the primary entrance and raced around to the middle school doors of Forest Hills School the bell was about to ring.

Sorry, I apologized as soon as I found Sienna. Before I could say anything else, Sienna pulled a small, shiny box out of her jacket pocket.

I got you something, Sienna said. I was going to give it to you at the end of the day, but I cant wait.

She passed it to me and I lifted the lid. Inside was a necklace with a silver heart pendant. Best Friend was engraved on it. I love it, I whispered. Thank you.

Even if Im not here, were still besties. Wed said that to each other so many times since we found out she was moving, Id lost count.

Id promised her I wouldnt cry, but tears sprang to my eyes at her words. By tomorrow, Sienna would be on a plane to her new home too far away.

I have something for you too, I said. Kate wasnt the only thing that had slowed me down this morning. Siennas gift weighed a ton.

I unzipped my backpack and pulled out her present. The illustrated hardcover edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone . Sienna had wanted it for ages. You can read it and think of me. She clutched it to her chest, speechless.

The bell for homeroom rang and neither of us moved. A wave of emptiness rolled over me even though Sienna was standing right there. I swallowed the lump in my throat and took a deep breath. I needed to be strong for Sienna. As hard as it was to say goodbye to my best friend, it was worse for her. Moving to a new city, starting over at a new school, making new friendsat least Id still be in familiar surroundings.

Im going to miss you so much, she said.

We can call and text, I said, trying to stay upbeat. And FaceTime! Youll be so busy making new friends, youll barely have time to miss me.

She snorted with disbelief. Yeah, right.

Here, help me with my necklace, I said, changing the subject. I lifted my hair so she could attach the clasp, then turned to face her. The heart dangled just below the hollow of my throat. How does it look?

Perfect, Sienna said.

Today was going to be sad. But tomorrow would be worse. I couldnt imagine coming to school and not seeing her. The first half of seventh grade had been toughand not just because Id known my best friend was moving. During the summer, my dad had been posted overseas as the Chief of Staff for a peacekeeping mission in the Middle East. It wasnt the first time hed had to leave us because of his job in the military, but this was the farthest hed gone and for the longest time. Sienna had made it bearable with sleepovers and movie marathons. For my birthday, because she knew I loved mysteries, shed even planned a scavenger hunt. It took us all day to follow the clues. Shed made my twelfth birthday one Id always remember.

Today, it was my turn to repay the favor. I wanted to make this the best last day ever. The second bell rang. Come on. We should get to homeroom, I said.

Just like Id planned, Aisha was on the look-out and as soon as she spotted us coming down the hallway, she darted into Mr. Lees room. I paused just before we got to the door and let Sienna open it.

Thirty voices shouted, Surprise! Maybe it was seeing everyone cheering for her, or the huge banner that hung across the back window that read Well Miss You, Sienna but Sienna froze in the doorway and then burst into tears.

That was the best worst day Ive ever had. Sienna sighed, summing up my feelings exactly. It was the end of the day and her backpack bulged with goodbye cards. We were waiting for her mom at the front of the school. As soon as I said my final goodbye, Id walk to the primary doors to pick up Kate.

This time tomorrow, youll be in your new house, I said.

Sienna nodded but couldnt have looked less excited.

I hope you can come for a visit.

Me too, I said, even though Mom had told me it wasnt in the budget, at least not this year.

A familiar car pulled up to the curb. Siennas mom, Cindy, got out to give me a hug goodbye. Siennas so lucky to have a friend like you, she said. Her eyes were misty too. Why are you moving if its making everyone so sad?