The Great Creek Rescue Project: Project Kids Adventure #6

By Gary M Nelson

Ben hated RISK.

After the new kid at school had an accident in the creek behind the forest, RISK was all that everyone at school was talking about. RISK that they might get hurt in the playground... so kids stopped playing. RISK of slipping while running, so everybody walked... slowly. RISK of this, RISK of that, everywhere you looked. The neighborhood was gripped in the fear of RISK, and not a smile was to be seen.

It was completely over the top, and Ben couldn’t handle it anymore. Worst of all, the forest was now a forbidden zone, because there was a RISK that someone might trip or fall. Their tree house might as well be on another planet. With the end of school and summer fast approaching, something had to be done, or they risked their summer holidays being ruined forever.

RISK, RISK, RISK!

...And then Alice gets this crazy idea about saving the salmon because they’re at RISK too, but the Project Kids aren’t even allowed to go down into the creek to clean it up!

It looked like an impossible project. But then, they had done the impossible before...

Parent/Teacher Note:
This next book in the Project Kids Adventures series sees the kids leading an environmental recovery project and learning to manage Risk.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gary M Nelson
• Release date: Feb 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9780995136809

Gary M Nelson

Gary M. Nelson, BSC, PMP (Gazza) is passionate about sharing knowledge and making Project Management concepts more accessible, particularly to new and aspiring Project Managers (of all ages). Said another way, he likes to tell stories to help convey complex concepts in a way that helps the concepts 'stick'. Who says learning shouldn't be fun?Born in Calgary, Alberta (Canada), Gary moved west to B.C. at the very early age of 2, where he spent most of his formative years - aside from a 6 year stint where he learned to appreciate living in a very small town of 800 people. He then attended high school in Surrey, B.C. and went on to graduate from Simon Fraser University (BC, Canada) in 1989 with a major in Computing science and a minor in English - an odd but useful mix (a techie who can write clearly)!Gary was tricked into becoming a Project Manager by his first manager, and has never looked back. His international experience includes projects in New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the US and Canada, working on projects in the Telecom, Student Information Systems, Local Government and Healthcare sectors.Having wanted to write books since high school, it took many long years of successful procrastination until he finally felt he had something useful to write about, and wrote his first book of stories in 2012...on Project Management, of all things. Next, presented with the terrifying challenge of writing for children, he enlisted his youngest sons to be the first victims (reviewers and editors) and the Project Kids series of books were born. Several years on, he is amazed to see the books being translated into multiple languages, and reaching into schools and homes around the world.He enjoys speaking and training, has presented at numerous events and conferences and is also the author and host of Gazza’s Corner Project Management Blog and Podcast.Gary currently lives in New Zealand with his wife, three sons and two cats, and is loving every bit of it.

Book preview

1.New Kids on the Block

You've got to choose, said Alice.

Yeah, it's about time, Charlotte tapped her shoes impatiently on the tiled kitchen floor.

Tim looked back and forth between the two girls, a trickle of sweat dripping down his left temple. Both girls had their arms stretched out towards him with expectant looks on their faces.

Charlotte wore a bright smile, her lightly freckled face and blue eyes framed in a cascade of wavy blonde hair. She winked at him. C'mon, it can't be that hard.

Alice Wong flicked her straight, black hair behind her shoulders with a twist of her head. Her brown eyes were half hidden in a freshly formed scowl. "Yeah, what's it going to be? We're not going to wait around forever, you know. At this rate I'll turn twelve before you choose."

Tim gulped, looked quickly at both girls, then stared down at his feet as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. I, um...I can't decide.

Well, you'd better hurry up. The cookies are getting cold, said Charlotte, setting her tray down on the kitchen table.

Alice jiggled her tray, moving two cookies closer to Tim, but his hands remained in his pockets. She sighed and put her cookie tray down next to Charlotte's.

Tim looked back and forth between to two girls. I don't know, chocolate chip and peanut butter are both good. It's too hard to choose just one!

Well then, why don't you have one of each? said Mrs. Jones as she walked into the kitchen and set a hand on his curly red hair. I made a double batch of each. You kids seem to devour my cookies, and now that there are more of you around here, a single batch isn't going to be enough. Though with James and Susan away for the weekend, and Becky off doing homework, it looks like we might have some left over.

Thanks, Mrs. Jones! grinned Tim as he pulled his hands out of his pockets and carefully selected the biggest cookie from each tray. You're the best!

Alice looked at Charlotte and made a face. Boys!

Charlotte giggled, then picked up a peanut butter cookie. I dunno, I might have one of each myself.

Mrs. Jones frowned at Charlotte. Are you sure that's a good idea? You don't want to overdo it.

Charlotte licked a crumb off her finger. I'm fine. A second cookie won't hurt.

"Technically, that would be your fourth, corrected Alice. Not that I'm counting."

Charlotte shook her head. "They were small cookies. It's not like I'm going to die or anything."

Tim coughed. No, but you almost did. Maybe you should slow down, you don't want to overwork your new liver. There's a lot of fats in cookies and chips and things, I read all about it and...

"I'm not fat, Tim," Charlotte glared at him and reached out for another cookie.

Tim colored pink. No, that's not what I meant. I read up on livers and how they work, and they break down fats, but you might not want to work it too hard, give it too much to work on at once, I mean...

Charlotte withdrew her empty hand from the tray. Oh.

Tim coughed, his face still pink. "Maybe you should break things up a bit, have some vegetables, or fruit, or something else first before you have another cookie. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you, I mean, we... ooof!"

Charlotte squeezed his ribs tightly, then let go. It's okay, Tim. It's been four weeks since the surgery and I feel great! Better than since forever, really. But it's sweet that you care so much. I like you too.

This time Alice turned pink. I... uh... I think I should go.

Tim stepped back abruptly, his head jerking back and forth between the two girls, eyes wild. No. No. No, I think...

Alice pressed her lips into a thin line.

Tim dashed out of the kitchen without another word.

Charlotte smiled. Boys, huh?

Alice stared at Charlotte as she bit a cookie in half. A shower of crumbs fell to the floor and were promptly ignored as the two girls looked at the empty doorway.

Yeah, boys.

Where's Tim? asked Amanda as she walked into the kitchen and selected a chocolate chip cookie from the tray.

Alice shrugged. He left. He had trouble choosing.

Huh, Amanda glanced at Charlotte, then looked at Alice as she took another bite. I prefer the chocolate chip, myself.

Me too! Charlotte smiled. It's nice to eat like normal again.

Alice glanced at Charlotte, then stared down her feet. I... I really am glad you're better.

Thanks! Charlotte grinned.

But... Alice looked up at Charlotte.

But what? Charlotte frowned.

Alice took a deep breath. I like Tim.

Charlotte nodded. Lots of people do. He's nice.

Right, Alice blinked. Right. Well, I suppose we should go find him.

Amanda pointed over her shoulder. I didn't see him in the living room. Maybe he's in Ben's room.

The three girls walked down the hallway, Alice trailing behind. Amanda walked straight into Ben's room, but Alice and Charlotte stopped in the doorway.

Oh, wow, said Charlotte, eyes wide. What happened here?

Every surface was covered in an explosion of clothes and toys.

Amanda winced as she stood on a sharp bit of Lego, then turned back towards the door. Believe me, it's been worse. Okay, nobody's here, but you could hide practically anything in all this junk. Maybe they're downstairs.

The girls followed Amanda down into the basement, but the boys weren't there. Amanda walked past the silent furnace and stuck her head outside the back door. Her eyes swept across the yard, but it was empty. The sun was warm on her face, the air full of the smells of late spring.

Amanda pulled the door shut. They're not here either. Let's check the playground.

Alice nodded and turned to follow Amanda back upstairs.

I like this time of year, chatted Charlotte as she slipped on a pair of bright pink shoes. So many flowers, and the leaves are so fresh. It's not too hot yet, but you don't really need a jacket.

Uh-huh, nodded Alice as she tied the shoelace of her left sneaker, making sure the loops were even.

Everybody ready? asked Amanda, her hand on the door knob.

Mrs. Jones came down the steps to the landing, one hand behind her back. You girls going outside?

Amanda nodded. Yes, Mom.

Great idea. Go get some fresh air, just be home for dinner. Could you please take these to share with the boys when you see them?

Amanda accepted the bag of cookies her mother pulled out from behind her. Thanks, Mom, we will. But if we don't find them...

Mrs. Jones smiled. Don't spoil your dinner. Besides, I saw them over in the park just a few minutes ago when I looked out the living room window.

Thanks Mrs. Jones, the cookies were delicious, smiled Charlotte.

I'm glad you liked them. You can have one more each if you like.

Thanks!

Mrs. Jones held the door open as the girls filed down the steps to the front yard. Have fun!

Alice munched on a peanut butter cookie as she stepped over the low wooden barrier that ringed the park. Once again, she wondered why they had even built it. It was easy to step over, and it didn't really work as a fence. She finished off the cookie and wiped the crumbs off her face.

Charlotte and Amanda were already ten steps ahead and Alice hurried to catch up.

Who's that with Tim? Charlotte pointed over at the playground.

Amanda shook her head. I see Ben and Tom, but I don't know those other kids.

Maybe they're new, said Charlotte.

"If they were new, they'd be babies," Alice frowned.

Dimples formed in Charlotte's cheeks as she laughed. You're funny.

Alice scowled and walked faster, forcing Charlotte to run to catch up.

Amanda looked back and forth between the two girls as she easily kept pace. What's up with you two?

Charlotte shrugged, panting. I dunno.

Alice slowed down, just a little. Nothing.

Amanda frowned. Hmm. Well, let's find out who the new people are.

Charlotte raised an eyebrow. Alice said they can't be new.

Alice sighed. "Ten year-olds can be so literal."

Charlotte smiled. "I'm almost eleven, and you're eleven."

Alice rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I'm almost twelve."

Amanda shook her head as they came up to the playground and stopped to watch the five boys, who were chatting and laughing as they played. Amanda coughed, but was ignored. Amanda counted to ten, and then a magical transformation took place as she opened the paper bag. Five sets of eyes suddenly zeroed in on the crinkling paper bag as Amanda pulled out a cookie and bit into it.

"Cookies!" yelled Ben as he jumped off the swing and ran up to his sister, hand extended.

Amanda's eyes narrowed as she raised the bag above her head. Mom sent some cookies, she thought you might be hungry. But I don't know now, you're pretty rude.

Ben glowered as he reached for the bag, just out of reach. "I'm not rude, you just want all the cookies."

Amanda shook her head. "We've already had some, but you are rude. Aren't you going to introduce us?"

Ben blinked. "What?

Amanda pointed at the swings. Who are your new friends?

Ben looked back over his shoulder. Oh, that's Eddie and Sammy. They just moved here, but I found them first.

The taller of the two boys walked over and brushed his short-clipped brown hair with his left hand. "I told you before, it's Edward."

Ben's smile slipped for a moment, then it slowly crept back onto his face. Sure thing, Eddie.

Edward looked away from Ben, dropping his hand to his side. "I'm Edward. Nobody calls me Eddie. And this is Samuel."

The smaller boy hopped off of the swings and ran over towards the girls. Hi! I'm Sammy!

Alice looked back and forth between the two boys. They could hardly be more different. Where Edward had dark brown hair and brown eyes, Samuel had a long shock of wild blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. His smile lit up his face from ear to ear, with an edge of mischief lurking around the edges of his eyes.

Alice blinked. "You're brothers?"

Sammy nodded vigorously. Ever since I was born!

Edward glared at his brother. "Mom and Dad named you Samuel when you were born, not Sammy."

Sammy stuck out his tongue. You're not the boss of me. Mom calls me Sammy all the time, and Dad calls you Eddie sometimes.

Edward frowned. That may be true, but I don't like it.

Um, okay... Amanda shook her head. Hi. I'm Amanda, Ben's big sister.

Edward stuck out his hand towards Amanda. Pleasure to meet you.

Amanda stared blankly at his hand, then slowly shook it. Uh... huh. I mean, nice to meet you too. We don't normally shake hands... I mean, isn't that an adult thing?

Edward drew his hand back. "It's how you do a proper introduction. Who are your friends?"

Amanda flushed pink. This is Alice and Charlotte.

What school do you go to? Charlotte asked Sammy.

Dunno the name yet, we just moved here. That one over there, Sammy pointed to the school on the far side of the park.

That's my school! beamed Charlotte. And Alice and the boys' too.

Sammy grinned. Great! I'll already know somebody when I start school on Monday!

Alice nodded. How old are you, Sammy?

"Nine and eleven months, I'm almost ten," he stood up on his tip-toes, but he still barely reached Amanda's armpit.

Amanda smiled down at Sammy. His good mood was infectious. Nice to meet you, Sammy. How old is Edward? Amanda turned towards his sour-faced brother.

Edward coughed. "I'm twelve, and will be for a whole year. Only little kids count in part years. When I'm thirteen, I'll be thirteen and not a day sooner."

Amanda blinked. Ah... so you're going to be in the middle school with us, then?

Edward looked around. "Who is us? I thought these two were in primary."

"She's Alice and I'm Charlotte, pleased to meet you, Charlotte giggled and held out her hand. Sammy will be in our school."

Edward sniffed as he gave Charlotte's hand a brief shake. "A pleasure, I'm sure. So if you're in Sammy's school, who is she talking about? Does Amanda have invisible friends?" Edward raised an eyebrow.

Charlotte laughed. Oh, no. Becky's busy with homework, and Susan and James are away this weekend. You'll meet them soon. Susan and Becky are in middle school with you. James is in ours.

Edward nodded slowly. I see.

"My big brother Pete is in your school too, and I'm sure Amanda will introduce you to lots of people, won't you Amanda?"

Amanda's cheeks flushed. "Um, ah... sure. I