About Logan

Logan C. Dias is a ninth grader at Prior Lake High School. He lives in Savage, Minnesota, and is the author's grandson. His interests include creating video games, playing guitar, art and swimming, He aspires to work for Nintendo or Sega after college. He's a fan of the Minnesota Vikings and Brett Favre. Logan has illustrated all of the author's books. 

Excerpt

 Chapter 1

“Out of my way, kid.”

Larry felt the shove before he saw his attacker. He tried to keep his balance but fell against the lockers and banged his head – hard!

Three boys laughed and kept on down the hallway.

“How come you hit him?”

“New kid in school.”

“That’s right, Vince. Show him who’s boss.”

Larry held back a desire to cry, rubbed his head and started to rise.

Welcome to our school, he thought.

A boy of about eight years helped him to his feet. He was small for his age and his ill-fitted clothes appeared as though they had been handed down once too often. He watched with defiance as the boys turned a corner in the hall.

“Don’t mind them,” he said. “They’re just a bunch of bullies. Not everybody’s like them.”

“Thanks,” said Larry.

“They pick on me too,” said the boy. “They tease me about my clothes and call me a runt and a rag picker.”

Larry brushed dust from his brand new jeans, picked up his backpack and turned to the younger boy. He thought of how much he had stretched the past year and the clothes he could no longer wear.

Some of them are just like new. I’ll ask Mom if I can give them to this kid. No one would know they’re second hand.

“So what do you do when they call you names?” he said.

“Oh, it really makes me feel bad but I’m afraid to say anything. Besides, I don’t want my folks to worry. My dad works hard to take care of me and my sister. Mom’s home all the time which is great but that means we can’t have a lot of new things.”

The younger boy paused. “But I’d much rather have her home after school than have a lot of fancy clothes.”

 “My Mom’s a nurse,” said Larry, “but she’s always worked nights so she’s home more too.

“I’m Larry Chambers and this is my first day here. We moved from Minnesota earlier this summer. Dad quit his office job and bought a ranch a few miles out of town.

“Mom quit working when we moved to the ranch. She gave me a ride this morning but I have to go home on the bus.”

“Maybe we’ll be on the same bus. I’m Benny - Benny Hoover. I’m in third grade. Those big guys are in fifth.”

“I’m in fifth grade too,” said Larry. “I hope I don’t have to sit next to one of them.”

The boys laughed together.

“Come on,” said Benny, “I’ll show you your classroom. It’s just across the hall from mine.”

The teacher, Mrs. Walker, welcomed Larry and introduced him to the class.

“Boys and girls, I want you to meet your new classmate.” She consulted the paper that the office had given her. “Lawrence Oliver Chambers. He just moved here to our great state of Wyoming from Minnesota. Welcome, Lawrence.”

Why do teachers always have to use your full name? And why did my parents have to name me after Uncle Oliver?

Mrs. Walker indicated the only empty seat near the back of the room. “You can sit right there, Lawrence.” She turned to the blackboard and wrote Larry’s name in large letters.

Oh no! It’s that same guy – and he’s sitting right behind that empty seat.

Larry’s mind was in turmoil as he put his school supplies in the desk. A whisper from behind him got his attention.

“Watch where you’re walking – Ollie – and don’t get in my way again.”

 “Since this is Lawrence’s first day in our school,” said the teacher, “I want each of you to stand and state your name.”

The boys and girls stood in turn to welcome the newcomer.

Two rows over, a petite girl with long brown curls rose to her feet and offered a shy smile. “I’m Jennifer Hoover – but everyone calls me Jenny.” She quickly resumed her seat.

A skinny youngster with thick round glasses half rose out of his seat, mumbled “I’m Sam” and quickly sank back down.

A ruddy-faced youngster at the front of the room rose, turned to look in Larry’s direction and smiled. “Hi. My name is Fred – and I hope you like playing basketball. Once we get to middle school, we can try out for the school team.”

The boy behind Larry stood to his feet with a bit of a swagger. “My name is Vincent – Vince to my friends.” He paused then continued. “We’ve already met.”

Larry sank a little lower in his seat. He could tell fifth grade would be a difficult year. He could feel it all the way down to his toes.

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