Rufus the Scrub Does Not Wear a Tutu

By Jamie McEwan and John Margeson

Rufus is tired of being yelled at by his football coach. Sure, he's the biggest guy in his class and he wants to be a better player, but he's doing the best he can. When his mom suggests he try ballet lessons to become less clumsy, Rufus decides to give it a try. Now the coach wants him to choose between football and ballet, and Biff gives him a hard time about wearing a tutu (which he doesn't). Even worse, the other Scrubs think Rufus is giving them a worse name (like that's possible). After all the teasing and trying, what's a Scrub to do?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lerner Publishing
• Release date: Aug 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781467731478

Jamie McEwan

Jamie McEwan is best known in the obscure world of whitewater canoe slalom, having competed internationally for over 20 years. A World Cup champion, he also won a bronze medal in the 1972 Olympics and placed 4th in 1992.Mr. McEwan is married to artist and illustrator Sandra Boynton. They live, write, and paddle in the countryside of Connecticut.

Book preview

TRUE

CHAPTER 1

PAIN IS

It was only the first day of football practice, and already Coach Stone was turning purple.

Maybe he was purple because it was such a hot day. Even up on the football field, high on the hill, there was no breeze. But Coach Stone’s purple face probably had something to do with the way he was yelling at everybody.

Hit him! He shouted so loudly that his voice echoed off the far hill. "Tackle him! Rufus, you look half asleep! Biff, hold onto the ball! You guys look like you’re playing ring-around-the-rosy! Play football!"

Wow, said Rufus to his friends, Willy and Dan. What’s he so worked up about?

But Coach Stone heard him.

What am I so worked up about, huh, Rufus? I’ll tell you what I’m worked up about. We graduated more than half our team. I’ve got to teach a bunch of newbies how to play. And I’ve got to try to whip the rest of you scrubs into shape!

Coach Stone paused and looked back and forth, his head jutting forward like a vulture looking for