Chapter 1: Everything You Know
By Michael Dahl
Sweating, I lay down on the grass and closed my eyes. The hot August sun beat down on my face, but it was still cooler than doing cartwheels. Ava, my best friend, stood over me. She bounced on her toes. “Get up, lazy bones,” she teased. She gently kicked my sneaker with hers. “Come on, Julia. We have a lot of work to do.” I groaned, but I got up.
My family and I had just moved across town to River City East. I’d be starting at a new middle school next week. At my old middle school, I’d been captain of the cheerleading squad. The one thing that would make the move to a new school okay would be joining the cheerleading team.
Luckily for me, my best friend, Ava, had been on the River City East squad for two years. She knew all the moves and had promised to teach me the routines. She’d even loaned me a uniform. All I had to do was try out. But first I had to practice. That’s what we were doing in her backyard.
I was so glad I knew Ava. She had been my best friend since kindergarten. She’d moved to River City East in third grade. Having her at my new school was going to be a huge help.
Ava turned up the volume on her phone and started jumping. “C’mon, Julia. Kick those legs higher,” she told me.
“I’m trying,” I said, kicking as high as I could. Sweat rolled down my neck.
“Much better,” Ava said as I did ten kicks in a row. “Now onto the ‘Hello’ cheer. We do that at the beginning of every routine.” I gulped water from my water bottle. Ava smiled at me. “How about you watch me first, okay?” she asked.
I nodded and plopped down in a shady spot. Ava clapped her hands, did a flip, and jumped. She ended the cheer with a split, her arms raised in a high V, pom-poms in her hands.
“Wow, that was great!” I said, clapping.
Ava flashed me a wide smile. “Your turn!” she said.
I took my time getting started. Ava frowned. “Julia, you need to step it up,” she said. “Tryouts are in two weeks. More people are trying out this year than ever before. I thought you wanted this.”
“You’re right,” I said. “I’m sorry. Show me everything you know!”
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Adapted from Cheer Captain, by Michael Dahl, ©️ by Capstone. Reprinted with permission.
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Questions
Julia and Ava will try out for the cheerleading squad soon. What do they think about practicing?
Ava is not interested, but Julia is focused and ready.
Julia seems tired, but Ava is energetic and encouraging.
Ava is ready to give up, but Julia encourages her to keep going.
Julia seems upset and sad, but Ava thinks its funny.
Neither Julia nor Ava show any signs of wanting to give up or being upset. Julia may seem tired, but she is still willing to practice and is focused. Ava is energetic and encouraging, as she is teaching Julia the routines and urging her to step up her game. Therefore, the correct answer is: Julia seems tired, but Ava is energetic and encouraging.
ulia and Ava will try out for the cheerleading squad soon. What do they think about practicing?
Ava is not interested, but Julia is focused and ready.
Julia seems tired, but Ava is energetic and encouraging.
Ava is ready to give up, but Julia encourages her to keep going.
Julia seems upset and sad, but Ava thinks its funny.