Excerpt from PRINCESSES DON'T WEAR JEANS
by Brenda Bellingham
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One day a new girl came to Jeff's school. The principal brought her to the grade three room.
"This is Matilda Perkins," the principal said. "She likes to be called Tilly."
"Welcome to our class, Tilly," said Mrs. Frank, Jeff's teacher.
Tilly Perkins stood at the front of the room. She wore tights that were too big. They twisted around her skinny legs like to corkscrews. She wore a skirt that was too long. The hem went up and down like a roller coaster. Her sweater had a hole in the elbow. She had forgotten to brush her hair. All the grade three kids stared at her.
Jeff knew he would not feel good if a bunch of kids stared at him.
"Hi, Tilly," he said.
Poppy Rose sat behind Jeff. She poked him in the back with her fingers. He knew what she meant. She meant, Dont be nice to that new kid, or else. Poppy Rose glared at Tilly.
Did Tilly Perkins quake?
Did Tilly Perkins quiver?
No, she did not. She looked around in a friendly way. She had hazel eyes that were bright and twinkly.
Mrs. Frank smiled at Jeff. "Tilly, you can sit in the desk next to Jeff," she said. Tilly Perkins went to her desk with a hop, skip and a jump. She beamed at Jeff.
Tilly Perkins is a very brave girl, thought Jeff.
From Princesses Don't Wear Jeans, copyright © 1991 by Brenda Bellingham.
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