Justin and Shawn are really popular. They would be hard to beat. I would have to work hard to win the election. But I do have a lot of friends in band that might vote for me. Miss Shakeabelly said I ought to think about it. Maybe I ought to give it a shot. How will I know if I don’t try? I think I will just do it!
(End of Lizzy’s Journal)
***
I couldn’t wait to tell Miss Shakeabelly my decision. There she was, standing in the open classroom door. It felt just like she rolled out the red carpet for us every morning.
“Okay, Miss Shakeabelly, I think I will run for vice president, if you really think I should.”
“What a great idea!” she said. She made it sound like it was totally my idea.
And that was that. I was in this race to win! Later that day, I bought some poster boards, paint, and brushes. I put all that stuff on newspapers in a corner of our kitchen floor.
Dad raised his eyebrows, but said it was okay as long as I didn’t spread out all over the room.
I had to make several signs, one for each of the school hallways.
Kelly watched me working on the floor and wanted to help. I think she wanted to be my campaign manager.
When I wasn’t looking, she got her paws in the paint and walked all over the signs. Oh no! Every sign had her paw prints on it. Were they ruined? Would I have to do them all over again? I didn’t have that much time. And that would be a lot of work, too. Hmm. I had to think fast.
Would her paw prints draw attention to my signs? I took a chance and put them up. It worked. Other kids thought her paw prints were as funny as I did. I hoped it would help me get votes.
I was glad I didn’t have to go first on the day we gave our speeches. Shawn, Justin, and I were seated on stage in the school auditorium.
I was really nervous, but so was Shawn. He went first and dropped his note cards twice. But he still gave a good speech and everybody clapped for him.
I was up next. I could feel my legs wobbling as I stood up. I reached to touch my lucky charm bracelet. Oh no! I had forgotten to wear it. But I did remember to wear my favorite pink jacket. Maybe it would bring me luck.
I was glad I had memorized my speech. That was one thing I had going for me. I didn’t want to make mistakes in front of everyone. I walked to the podium, took a deep breath, and went for it.
“Hi, my name is Lizzy Jolly. But you know that. I am running for vice president of the student council. Uhm, you know that, too. If I am elected, I will represent you and our school with pride. I’d like to hear your ideas and suggestions. I promise that I will listen to you. I will work really hard to help our school be the best. I will also volunteer for special projects. I will get the job done. I ask for your vote. Vote for Lizzy. You will be glad you did. Thank you.”
After the speech, I was still nervous. My heart was pounding like the band’s bass drum. My face was beet red, my head was swimming, and my stomach was doing summersaults.
I stepped back and thought I was sitting down. But I missed the chair, rolled over backwards, and hit the floor with a thud. Oh no! It was the Jolly family klutz curse.
I felt two hands pulling me up. It was kind of like the time I threw up on the floor at Carly’s house. That was gross! Carly’s big brother put his hands under my arms and dragged me all the way home! That was so embarrassing!
But, this time it felt different. It was really different. I wondered who was holding me, so I looked up. It was Justin.
“Are you okay, Lizzy?” asked Justin.
“I am okay now,” I said, blushing.
Miss Shakeabelly raced up to the stage. “Lizzy, are you okay?”
“I’m okay now.” I looked at Miss Shakeabelly, and then smiled at Justin.
“There is a slick spot on the floor here. Let’s move your chair over there,” Miss Shakeabelly said.
I heard some giggling from the back of the auditorium. Miss Shakeabelly stood up straight, crossed her arms, and turned to the audience. She looked at the kids with her “teacher face.” The giggling stopped. It was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. She helped me over to my chair, smiled, and whispered, “I liked your speech very much. You did a good job.”
Yep, that was another reason why I liked Miss Shakeabelly. She always knew when you needed a pep talk.
Now that I had my speech out of the way, I started to relax, and breathe in and out again.
“Wow, Lizzy, you are a hard act to follow,” Justin whispered, as he looked over at me. He walked to the podium and began his speech. “My name is Justin and I will try to support my classmates in any way I can.” He looked over and smiled at me.
I blushed again, thinking how he had picked me up from the floor. Yep. That was some “support” all right.
I liked Justin. I hoped we would still be friends after the election.
Other Jolly Time Books You Will Like
Kelly Adventure Series
(Read in this Order):
Searching for Kelly (Book 1)
Chasing Kelly’s Shadow (Book 2)
Kelly Saves the Day (Book 3)
(Study Guides):
Searching for Kelly (Book 1)
Chasing Kelly’s Shadow (Book 2)
Kelly Saves the Day (Book 3)
Jolly Family Series
(Read in any Order)
Captured by Aliens! (#4)
Into the Dungeon! (#5)
Yucky Boogers! (#6)
Are We There Yet? (#7)
Goat Finger! (#8)
Yikes! It’s Alive! (#9)
Lost in the Jungle! (#10)
Save Janie! (#11)
Blast Off! (#12)
Halloween Moon! (#13)
Special Delivery! (#14)
Keeping Up! (#15)
More Jolly Time Books
‘Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas
Today I Will Fly
Mr. Wobbler’s Long Walk
Punxsutawney Phil and His Jealous Brother Gary
Mayberry Park
Elvira’s Happy Feet
Elvira Gets Tough on Bullies
Elvira Tackles Picky Eaters
One Ring-a-Dingy
The Good Life
The Handyman
Jolly Time Books
Dog Squad Series
Lost Spaceship (#1)
Fang, the Ornery Cat (#2)
Moon Over Miami (#3)
I’m So Popular (#4)
That Stinks (#5)
Surf’s Up (#6)
Molly Megaphone (#7)
Once in a Blue Moon (#8)
Rescue Me (#9)
What’s Up? (#10)
Bullies Beware (#11)
My Perfect World (#12)
Jolly Time Books
Playhouse Series
Rhyme Time (#1)
The Big Score (#2)
I Hear You (#3)
I Want a Pet (#4)
Big Red Fire Truck (#5)
Big Bad Bully (#6)
T. Rex Shares a Secret (#7)
My Birthday Party (#8)
Catch Me if You Can (#9)
Searching for Treasure (#10)
Pooter’s Big Stink (#11)
Stuff Happens (#12)
Leo the Lion Politician (#13)
Hopscotch Hoopla (#14)
Jolly Time Books
Storytime Series
Stop Fighting (#1)
King of the Jungle (#2)
On the Road Again (#3)
Good Night Friends (#4)
How to Be Cool (#5)
Leo the Lion King (#6)
The Perfect Gift (#7)
It’s Mine (#8)
Who’s Got Talent? (#9)
Yes We Can (#10)
Where’s Big Owl? (#11)
The Dancing Queen (#12)
I Am Somebody (#13)
In My Room (#14)
What I Do Best (#15)
Tear Down This Wall (#16)
What’s for Dinner? (#17)
Dark Shadows (#18)
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About the Authors
Karen S. McGowan has worked more than 20 years as a teacher and holds a Master of Education degree. She is a children’s book author and leading advocate of education.
She believes in inspiring, strengthening, and nurturing students and their families. Readers will discover different ways to make friends and build confidence, develop empathy, strengthen family relationships, deal with bullies, and more!
Dennis E. McGowan has worked in foreign affairs and human resources for more than two decades. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree.
Text and illustrations copyright
2014, 2017
by Karen S. McGowan
and Dennis E. McGowan
Book cover design by
Dan S. McGowan
This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
All rights are reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the authors except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
To Denise and Dan
for inspiring Jolly Time Books!
Kelly, the joy and enthusiasm you created
made us pause and say, “Gee, whiz!”
The most valuable lesson you taught us was
how precious life really is.
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