Off-Key (Volume 3) - Jennifer Torres

Author: Jennifer Torres

Publisher: Aladdin

Cover Type: Paperback

Pages: 112 pages

Language: English

Genre: Childrens Geography & Cultures

Genre Class: Children's, Fiction, Readers, -, Chapter, Books

One Day at a Time meets Mindy Kim in this third book in a charming new chapter book series about Catalina Castaneda, a Mexican American girl with a magical sewing kit who wants to start a band.Catalina cant wait for the upcoming school talent show! Along with some of her classmates, they decide to rock out and form a band for the big day. But Catalina has some...specific ideas on how the band should look and sound. Can Catalina learn to be part of the band, or will she find herself working on a solo act?

P>About the Author: Jennifer Torres is the award-winning author of Stef Soto, Taco Queen; The Fresh New Face of Griselda; and other books for young readers. She writes stories about home, friendship, and unexpected courage inspired by her Mexican American heritage. Jennifer started her career as a newspaper reporter, and even though she writes fiction now, she hopes her stories still have some truth in them. She lives with her family in Southern California.Gladys Jose is an illustrator and storyteller. She graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2012, where she earned a bachelors degree in fine arts, specializing in graphic design. Gladys is the illustrator of Library Fish, Fresh Princess, The Elephants Guide to Hide-and-Seek, and the Once Before Time chapter book series. Excerpt. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Chapter 1: Flutter CHAPTER 1 FLUTTER Its after school on Monday, and the auditorium is filled with students practicing for the Valle Grande Elementary talent show. Auditions are at the end of this week. I creep past a group of fourth graders tap-dancing side by side next to a second grader performing a tae kwon do demonstration. Behind them, Aaron Chu, a third grader in my class, rehearses his magic act. He swooshes his cape. He waves his hands over a black top hat. He taps the edge of the hat with his wand. I watch, waiting to see what will happen. When nothing does, Aaron peers into the hat and shrugs. I shudder. Id hate for my act to go wrong. Thats why Im sneaking through the auditorium. Somewhere in this room is the formula for a perfect performance, and Im going to find it. I need to make sure my group has an amazing audition and gets picked for the show. The best part is, none of the other kids notice me. Not really. When they look in my direction, all they see is a yellow-winged butterfly. Thats because last summer my ta abuelaher name is Catalina Castaeda toogave me a special sewing kit. It might not look very special, just an old, worn-out velvet pouch. But the needle and thread inside have the power to sew magical disguises. Over the weekend, I sewed butterfly wings onto one of my old sweaters. (It was missing a button anyway. I could have sewn on a new one, but it wouldnt have matched the others, and I cant stand it when things dont match.) Then I added antennae to one of my hairbands. The perfect disfraz! Now anyone who sees me thinks Im a butterfly. I am incognito. Ta Abuela told me to save the magic for times when I really need it. Once my spool of silvery magical thread is gone, its gone for good. This is one of those times when I need my magic. After all, my bandmates and I will be performing a song that Ta Abuela made famous back when she was still a telenovela actress. We cant make any mistakes. I flutter behind Esme Galindo and her cousin Jazmn. They wear swirling blue skirts as they practice a folklrico dance. Suddenly Jazmn stops in the middle of a step. What happened? Esme asks. Did you forget what comes next? They definitely need more practice. Jazmn shakes her head. No, but I thought I saw Catalina. Uh-oh. Maybe my disfraz isnt working. I duck behind a cardboard tree some fifth graders are using as a prop in their skit. Shouldnt she be with her own group? Esme asks. You know Catalina, Jazmn continues. She probably wanted to give us some of her helpful hints. Esme giggles, and they start dancing again. I might have a reputation for being a bit of a perfectionist. Who doesnt want to be perfect? I almost wonder aloud. Instead I look over my shoulder to make sure the butterfly wings are still attached. Ta Abuela warned me that the magic would only be as strong as my stitches. And these are coming loose! I need to get out of this disfraz before anyone else notices! While the fifth graders argue over their lines, I yank off the wings and slip out of the sweater. I tuck everything under my arm, then step out from behind the carboard tree and find my group at the other side of the auditorium. We call ourselves Banda La Chispa in honor of Ta Abuela. Her fans know her as La Chispa, the spark, because she was always so bright and dazzling onscreen. Ruthie Rosario sits behind her drum set. Soledad Beltrn has her guitar strapped over her shoulder. Pablo Blanco, my best friendand biggest rivalstands next to his keyboard, tapping his foot. He scowls when he sees me. Youre late, he says. Impossible. No one cares about punctuality as much as I do. Except for Pablo, that is. I look down at my watch and frown. Unfortunately, hes right. Only thirty-six seconds, I say. Thirty-seven, Pablo argues. And anyway, late is late. Where were you? I hesitate. So far I havent revealed the secret of the magic sewing kit to anyone. Luckily, Ruthie interrupts before I have to answer. Cool hairband! she says. Animal accessories are my favorite! I feel the top of my head. Im still wearing the butterfly antennae. Um, thanks, I mumble, my cheeks going all warm. Pablo snorts. Normally I am perfectly put together. Soledad hands me the tambourine we borrowed from the music room. Now that were all here, she says, lets run through the song from the very beginning. Ruthie taps out the rhythm with her drumsticks. Uno, dos, tres, cuatro! Soledad counts. She begins to strum, then nods at Pablo, who presses down on the keys. I start shaking the tambourine. When we get to the chorus, I open my mouth to sing. Only, I can hardly keep up with Ruthies beat. Pablos notes clash with Soledads chords, and we all sound a littleoff-key. When the song ends, I cringe. Part of me wants to run back to that cardboard tree to hide again. Maybe we can still back out of the auditions. Then I remind myself of something Ta Abuela taught me when I was first learning to sew: progress takes practice. And patience. Sometimes a lot of patience. Dont worry, I reassure everyone. We still have a few more days to get better. Are you kidding? Soledad shouts. That was amazing! And so much fun! We are obviously going to make the talent show. But Im not so sure.

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