Mari C. Schuh - Yes I Can!: A Story of Grit

j M illbrook Press M inneapolis Mari Schuh illustrated by Mike Byrne For Dad, who taught me the meaning of true grit M.S. For Harry, the 1st of many M.B. Text and illustrations copyright 2018 by Lerner Publishing Group, Inc. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc., except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.

Millbrook Press A division of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc. First Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA For reading levels and more information, look up this title at www.lernerbooks.com. Main body text set in Slappy Inline 22/28. Typeface provided by T26. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data The Cataloging-in-Publication Data for Yes I Can!: A Story of Grit is on file at the Library of Congress. bdg.) ISBN 978-1-5415-1071-5 (pbk.) ISBN 978-1-5124-9825-7 (EB pdf) LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017004730 Manufactured in the United States of America 1-43470-33210-6/27/2017 Table of Contents Index....24

C hapter O ne A B ig P roject B z z z z ! Dads phone is buzzing. bdg.) ISBN 978-1-5415-1071-5 (pbk.) ISBN 978-1-5124-9825-7 (EB pdf) LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017004730 Manufactured in the United States of America 1-43470-33210-6/27/2017 Table of Contents Index....24 C hapter O ne A B ig P roject B z z z z ! Dads phone is buzzing.

Your cousin Lisas texting to say hi, Dad says. Jada, do you want to text her back?

Im in the middle of my science project, I say. But tell Lisa Ill text her later! Lisa is one of my favorite people. But my project needs all my attention. Im learning if plants grow best in water, milk, juice, or soda. Ive been working hard for four weeks.

I pour a liquid on each of my plants.

I measure how much the plants have grown. Then I write down what I find out in my science notebook. It hasnt always been easy, but I keep at it no matter what. People with grit work hard toward long-term goals. Ding-dong! The doorbell rings just as Im writing in my science notebook.

Who could it be?

Chapter Two S taying F ocused Jada, your friends are here, Mom says. Can you play with us? Diego asks. I want to play, but Im working on my plant project. Not today, I tell Diego. But maybe I can play tomorrow. Mom agrees.

Yes, tomorrow sounds good, she says. OK! Sara answers.

Now do you think youll be able to finish up your notebook entry? Mom asks. Yes I can! I tell her. People with grit believe in themselves. I plan to finish my project today.

But I have a little trouble. No, kitty, I say. Dont play with the plants! C hapter T hree N ever G iving U p

Joey, watch out! Youll break the pot! Orange juice! Yum! says my sister. Oh no! Thats for my project! I tell her. Dad starts getting dinner ready. He moves my things.

We need room for the dishes, he says. Wait! I say. The plants wont get sun if they arent by a window. Ill move them to my bedroom window. People with grit find new ways to get things done.

See my chart? The plant that grew in water grew the best! I did it! Im done with my project. See my chart? The plant that grew in water grew the best! I did it! Im done with my project.

I give it to my teacher, Mrs. Walton. How did it go? she asks.