Summer Assignment

By Mona Sphar

Just one week before summer vacation starts, Ernie finds out that Mrs. Arlon is moving up to sixth grade and will be his English teacher, AGAIN. And not only that, she has given everyone a summer assignment! Macy Grace, who always makes straight A’s, is the only one who appears happy about the assignment. Ernie really doesn’t like Macy Grace at all.

But things get worse. Ernie has to go to his Aunt Mabel’s house for two whole weeks while his parents go on a cruise WITHOUT him. And he’s not going to be the only one staying with Aunt Mabel. Guess who else is going? Macy Grace!

Join Ernie and Macy Grace at Aunt Mabel’s for two weeks of…..fun?

And if you are wondering about the summer assignment, read part 2 to find out what mysteriously happens to Ernie’s journal.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796066357

Mona Sphar

Mona Sphar is the mother of six children. She has taught school in the Louisiana public school system for over 40 years, and is currently teaching Pre-K 4 in a private school.

Book preview

Chapter 1

A Summer Assignment

Psst, Ernie. Psst, Ernie, Mike whispered softly.

I slowly turned around to see what Mike wanted just as Mrs. Arlon said in an annoyed voice, Mike and Ernie, would you mind telling the whole class what is so important that it could not wait just five minutes until my class was over?

I didn’t know what to say. I had never been called down by any of my teachers this whole school year, and now, with just one week before summer vacation, I was going to get into trouble.

As I was trying to think of something to say, Mike quickly answered, Sorry, Mrs. Arlon. I was just going to ask Ernie if we could do our math homework together tonight at his house. I was afraid he might leave before I had a chance to ask him. I’m really sorry I interrupted you.

Mrs. Arlon walked right up to me and Mike and looked at both of us. She waited a moment and then said, That’s very commendable of you to be concerned about your math homework, but this is English class, and I do not appreciate anyone talking about another subject during MY class. Please keep your thoughts on English. Then she walked back to the front of the class.

Phew. What luck! No recess detention. I thought relieved. Mrs. Arlon was not usually so easy on anyone talking in her class. I was sure glad Mike had a good answer.

Mrs. Arlon looked at our class and continued talking, "Well class, before I was so rudely interrupted by Mike and Ernie, I was just about to share my wonderful news with all of you.

Our principal, Mr. Stelly, has informed me that I will be moving up to sixth grade next year. What that means is I will have the pleasure of being your English teacher again next year. So, as your first assignment as a future sixth grader, which officially starts in one week, I want all of you to keep a daily journal of your summer vacation starting on day one. And, so that everyone is perfectly clear on the date, the first journal entry should be made on the very first day of June. I will also be reminding you each day of this assignment until the very last day of this school year, so there won’t be any excuses for not completing it."

Low moaning could be heard throughout the class. Our hope for a fun summer had just been busted. Everyone was frowning, except Macy Grace, who was smiling. She loved doing assignments. She made straight A’s on everything and always bragged about it. Everyone knew she would have some cool things to write about since she had started telling us all last month how she was going to Disney World and the beach and the mountains this summer. She was such a show off. I didn’t like her at all.

I thought about my plans for the summer. I was going nowhere and doing nothing. I slouched down in my desk and thought, Well at least I won’t have to write much in my journal. I’d write, I got up late, ate breakfast, watched TV and played video games. Then I ate dinner and went to bed.’ Yes, that would be one of the easiest and shortest assignments I ever had to do. My journal would be short and sweet."

Ernie. Ernie, are you there? asked Mrs. Arlon. I quickly sat up as I heard the class laughing. I felt myself turning red and quickly refocused my thoughts to Mrs. Arlon. As I was saying, your final paper should be at least six pages long. I do not want anyone of you to think that you can turn in one page that says ‘I slept all day, and then I watched television.’ Let me warn you all that if anyone does that, he or she will start off the new school year with a big red F. I hope I make myself perfectly clear.

Yes, mam, the class responded as the final bell for the day rang. Everyone gathered their books and waited until Mrs. Arlon said, Class dismissed.

As the class was leaving, Mike yelled at me, Hey, wait up, Ernie. I’ve got some great news to tell you.

I waited outside the room for Mike. As Mike neared me, I quickly said, Mike, you almost got us both detention. What’s so important?

Guess where I’m going this summer? Before I could say a word, Mike continued, I‘m going to Camp Brown for two whole weeks. My mom registered me last month, but there was a waiting list. She left a note in my lunch box today letting me know that my name finally came up and I get to go! I’ll leave next week. Isn’t that great?

Yeah, that’s great! I said excited for him. I heard that it’s so much fun there. Tim went last year and said he fished and swam every day. Why didn’t your mom tell you last night instead of leaving a note for you in your lunchbox?

She probably figured that I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I knew. Anyway, you know how moms are. They always want you to read everything, even notes, and even during summer vacation. said Mike.

I laughed. You’re right. My mom wants me to go to the library as soon as school’s out. Hey, Mike, do you think I could go to that camp, too?

Mike answered, Sorry, Mike. I wish you could, but my mom told me the waiting list was now at 65, but I bet you’ll do some fun things while I’m gone.

No. I don’t’ think my parents have anything planned for the summer. But that’s OK. I won’t have much to write about for my English paper. Since it has to be six pages long, I guess I’ll list the TV shows I watched and the video games I played. To make it longer, I’ll write what levels I got to each day on the games.

Mike laughed and said, Don’t worry, Ernie. When I get back from camp, we’ll do a lot of cool things for you and me to write about. Deal?

It’s a deal! I said as I gave Mike a high five. Mike turned to leave when I said to him, What time are you coming over tonight to do the math homework?

Mike started laughing. Are you kidding? School’s almost over. I just told Mrs. Arlon that so we wouldn’t get in trouble. It’s just busy work anyway. It won’t be graded.

Well just in case it’s for a grade, I’m going to do mine. If you change your mind, just come on over. Bye, Mike. I said.

Mike responded with another laugh, Like that’s going to happen. See you tomorrow, Ernie.

Chapter 2

Two Whole Weeks with Macy Grace

I walked in the living room and hollered, Mom, I’m home.

Mom called back, I’m in the kitchen, Sweetie. Don’t forget to close the front door. The air conditioner is on.

I put my book sack on the floor and closed the door. I went in the kitchen and said, MMMMM, something smells good. My eyes quickly spotted a tray of cookies on the counter. "Can I