Willy the Scrub

By Jamie McEwan and Victor Kennedy

It’s hard being different. Everybody in Willy’s family is an athlete—even his mom. And, although Willy wishes he were like the rest of his family, no matter how hard he tries he never seems to be as good as they are. When he hears there’s going to be wrestling try-outs, he and his best friend sign up. Even if they never get to play, they’ll be the best benchwarmers of all time! A hi-lo book for reluctant readers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lerner Publishing
• Release date: Aug 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781467731393

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

CLUB

CHAPTER 1

DAY ONE

It’s Day One, said Willy. "A new year, a new school. We’re fifth graders now. We’re not in elementary school anymore. Everything’s going to be different. We’re going to be different."

How? his big friend Rufus asked. How are we going to be different?

Rufus gave a puzzled look around, as if he expected the difference to jump out at him from the hallway lockers. The four friends—Willy, Rufus, Dan, and Clara—were standing together on one side of their new school’s big, wide hall. Crowds of kids they didn’t know walked by.

I’m saying it’s time for a new start, said Willy. "A new me. I don’t want to be just a face in the crowd. I want us to be part of the ‘in’ group. We can be the ‘in’ group. All of us from Davidson." Davidson was their old elementary school.

I don’t know, said Rufus.

I do! said Dan. I like it! The new ‘in’ group. That’s us! Dan was a little guy with hair that stuck straight up from his head. He could never stand still for long. Right now Dan was bouncing from one foot to the other, holding his hands up like a boxer. On one of his bounces, Dan bumped into a boy walking behind

Reviews for Willy the Scrub

[skeeterbo · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The story was sort of good because it was about wrestling, football and kayaking. I want to do all those things when I am a teenager.