Mary checked the clock. "We're to meet our friends and supporters in town. And if you win, Mr. Lincoln, you'll be expected to say a few words to the crowd."

(a)  

In the wrestling ring, Gigantic Phil climbed onto the ropes and lifted his arms in air. His opponent, Al "The Alligator" Albertson, was lying facedown on the mat.

(a)  

"That's right," chirped Ms. Maybee. "Time to get out those history textbooks!"

(a)  

Louis looked up from the book. "It's the same as yesterday. He's not doing anything."

(a)  

They hurried past Ms. Ventrua, the librarian, who was sipping coffee at her desk.

(a)  

Principal Darling stepped out of her office. She folded her arms across her chest and said, "Is there a problem here?"

(a)  

Mr. Biddle's beard was held on by a string that looped around his ears.

(a)  

"This is Springfield, Illinois. Where did you get those strange clothes?"

(a)  

There was going to be a pro-wrestling tournament in the gym Friday night, and kids were joking about what their wrestling names would be.

(a)  

"In class, when you were reading the history book, you may have noticed that the story didn't seem quite right."

(a)  

"Where's your beard?" asked a boy up front.

(a)  

All she'd have to do now was wait for just the right time to lower the screen and press Play.

(a)  

Someone in the crowd yelled out: "The leaders of many Southern states have vowed to leave the union if you won. What do you say to them?"

(a)  

The room was quiet and dark. A streetlamp inthe parking lot cast a faint yellow glow on the tall cardboard box.

(a)  

ALL VISITORS MUST CHECK IN AT FRONT DESK.

(a)  

Balto was born to be a sled dog.

(a)  

By the time Togo was twelve, he and Leonhard had traveled nearly 55,000 miles of trail together.

(a)  

"Hike!" Gunnar shouted.

(a)  

Malamutes would get into fights with other dogs, but huskies liked working in a group.

(a)  

Almost sobbing with relief, Gunnar grabbed the serum and pulled it from the snow.

(a)  

Charlie warned Gunnar about the storm.

(a)  

Twenty drivers and 150 dogs would carry the serum on the relay.

(a)  

Balto scrambled to his feet, tangled in his harness.

(a)  

Back in Nome, drivers stood in the blowing snow and looked over their teams.

(a)  

Gunnar had asked, and his lead dog had answered.

(a)  

Another strap was fastened across his chest.

(a)  

Then he ran his hands over the sled to check that the serum crate was still secure.

(a)  

Around three o'clock in the morning, the dogs could tell that rest was ahead.

(a)  

Dark, frigid water lapped at the edges of their icy raft.

(a)  

The team would rest partway through at the Solomon roadhouse.

(a)  

His dogs would need all that high-calorie protein to keep them warm and give them energy on the trail.

(a)  

In the protected yard of Leonhard's cabin, the light spilled cozily from the windows on the snow.

(a)  

He crawled back and forth along the trail, hoping his fingers would brush against the cloth that wrapped the wooden crate.

(a)  

It could live on objects, like doorknobs, clothes, and toys.

(a)  

His hands moved down smooth wood. Then up and down again. Something was wrong.

(a)  

As we pass by Addie, she asks, "Is Marvel okay?"

(a)  

Principal Huxx motions to Ms. Day for confirmation.

(a)  

Butter panics, releases Mercede's hair, and tumbles on her side.

(a)  

Two seconds later Mr. J comes into Principal Huxx's office.

(a)  

I go into Mr. J's office.

(a)  

When the cue comes, Theo and Butter walk out.

(a)  

Theo gives Addie a high five.

(a)  

I wonder if I know Addie well enough yet to stomp on her foot.

(a)  

Mercedes gives us an approving head nod.

(a)  

Ms. Day turns the flashligh off and back on again as if that's the problem.

(a)  

I breathe and the microphone echoes my panicked puffs around the auditoium.

(a)  

I watch myself stumble up to the microphone and stand in front of it.

(a)  

The spring semester is mostly focused on the play, which feels...unbalanced.

(a)  

When she's with me, I'm happier and more confident.

(a)  

I had stage fright so badly, I literally froze in front of everyone.

(a)  

But I've been trying to master the worry and go with the flow.

(a)  

Even though I've been petrified I'll freeze up again, things are different now.

(a)  

I'm so freaked out I don't hear anything that is happening around me.

(a)  

I can't speak.

(a)  

I inspect my new friend.

(a)