Leah Henderson - The Magic in Changing Your Stars

LEAH HENDERSON

To anyone who has ever gazed into a starry night sky and dreamed

To my dad, who will forever point out infinite possibilities and stars

To my family, who are always by my side as I search mine out

And to Boston, my furry, brilliant friend, for leading me to onethank you!

STERLING CHILDRENS BOOKS and the distinctive Sterling Childrens Books logo are registered trademarks of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.

Text 2020 Leah Henderson

Cover 2020 Brittany Jackson

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 (including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without prior written permission from the publisher.

ISBN 978-1-4549-3407-3

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Henderson, Leah, author.

Title: The magic in changing your stars / Leah Henderson.

Description: New York : Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., [2020] | Audience: Ages 8-12. | Summary: After bungling his audition to play the Scarecrow in The Wiz, fifth-grader Ailey is magically transported to 1930s Harlem where he meets his own grandfather and legendary tap dancer Bill Bojangles Robinson.

Identifiers: LCCN 2019055928 | ISBN 9781454934066 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781454934073 (epub)

Subjects: CYAC: Self-confidenceFiction. | DanceFiction. | GrandfathersFiction. | Time travelFiction. | African AmericansFiction. | MagicFiction.

Classification: LCC PZ7.1.H462 Mag 2020 | DDC [Fic]dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019055928

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Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly.

~from Dreams by Langston Hughes

C an you strut like the Scarecrow?

G -r-r-r like the Lion?

O r follow the Yellow Brick Road like Dorothy?

Then THE WIZ needs you!

Auditions after school Friday.

Ms. Hansberrys classroom.

Research THE WIZ and come prepared with a one-minute monologue & Stun us with sixteen bars of a show-stopping song.

It hadnt been two minutes since Aileys last mini fiasco, but before Mr. Rock could even read the first word of the announcement, Ailey was out of his seatagain. He needed a closer look at the emerald green paper covered in silver script.

I can definitely strut like the Scarecrow, Mr. R., Ailey said. He popped his shoulders up and down, bouncing instep to a beat in his head.

Titters went through the class.

Really, Mr. Lane? Mr. Rock exhaled, crossing his arms. How many recess points do you need to losetoday aloneto understand you need to stay parked in your chair like everyone else?

Realizing defeat, Ailey bowed his head. Without a peep, he moonwalked down the row of desks, his feet sliding effortlessly across the linoleum like it was ice, before dropping back into his seat.

Theres more than just the Scarecrow in The Wiz anyway, Juano Hernandez, another student, said.

Yeah, Mahalia Jackson, the know-it-all who didnt know-it-all, added, Theres also the all-powerful Wiz. My sister played her last year at summer camp. So, I already know all the lines.

Ailey grumbled. Mahalia always opened her mouth, and to make matters worse, Ailey had to look up at her a little, even while seated. Actually, he had to crane his neck to look up at most of his classmates, except for his best friend, Maceo Merriweather, the only kid shorter than he was in the whole fifth grade. Who cares, he said when she turned his direction. She cant beat the Scarecrows moves. Ailey rocked his neck, hands up in a challenge.

Dance wont get you anywhere, Mahalia said. You need to know how to act.

Mr. Rock walked over and pressed his fingertips against Ailey and Mahalias desks, his eyebrow lifted almost to his hairline. Im guessing you two dont want to take this party down to Principal Coppins office? But that is exactly what is about to happen if I have to come over here again.

But... Mahalia whined then closed her mouth. But of course, she couldnt keep it that way as Ailey wormed his upper body toward her. Its his fault. And I bet he doesnt even know what The Wiz is.

Ailey stopped. Do too, he shot back, glaring at her. Last year my parents took me and my sister to see it in New York. And the Scarecrow did his thing.

Mr. Rock tilted his head back toward the ceiling like Aileys mother always did when she was praying for strength. Then he looked between both of them. We still have a few minutes before the bell. Why dont you enlighten those who may not know what its all about?

Yeah, Miss Smarty-pants, Ailey baited. Whats The Wiz about?

Mahalia laughed. Hes looking at you.

Ailey turned to see Mr. Rock staring him down, that eyebrow still talking to his hairline.

Oh... um. Ailey straightened his polo shirt. The Wiz is the Black version of The Wizard of Oz. The movienot the book were reading. Some parts are way different from the book. But one things the samethe Scarecrow is the smartest of them all. He flapped his hand in the air, nodding along.

Okay, Ailey. Thank you. Thats enough, but he is right

For once, Mahalia said, too low for Mr. Rock to hear, but Ailey did.

The movie is a bit different from Baums The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, continued Mr. Rock, addressing the whole class. For one, in 1978 it was made with an all-Black cast, including people like Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Lena Horne, and Richard Pryor. And now, thirty-two years later, in 2010, it will be made with all of you. I cant wait to see how you all make it your own. Plus, itll be nice to see another one of the books were reading come to life on our stage. So, I hope youll all consider trying out.

Murmurs of excitement zipped through the class.

Mahalia tapped her finger against her lip, and her eyes roamed the room before landing on Ailey. I think