Julie’s Book Excerpt

From Meet Julie

All day, Julie couldn’t think of anything else. Finally, in the middle of social studies, she leaned over and whispered to T.J., “Do you think Coach Manley has read my petition?”

“Julie, T.J.?” said Ms. Hunter. “Is there something you’d like to share with the class about the Mississippi River?”

“Sorry, Ms. Hunter. I—I have a stomach-ache,” said Julie, which wasn’t exactly a lie. “May I please have a hall pass to go see the nurse?”

Julie started down the hall to the nurse’s office, but she couldn’t stop her feet from heading straight to the gym office. She knocked at the open door. “Excuse me, Coach Manley?”

“What is it, Albright? Shouldn’t you be in class?” the coach barked.

“Did you get a chance to read my petition?” Julie asked, nervously twirling her mood ring. She was afraid to even look to see what color it was.

“I read it. Doesn’t change a thing. Sports are for boys, not girls.”

“But Coach, it’s not just me anymore. A hundred and fifty people agree that I have a right to play on the team.”

“ I don’t care if you show me a hundred and fifty thousand names. They’re all going in the same place.” Right before her eyes, he balled up the petition and went for a basket…in the trash can.

Julie felt as If somebody had just punched her in the stomach.

“A piece of paper’s never going to get you on this team,” said the coach. “Now scram, before you get a demerit for being out of class.”

As Julie headed back to her classroom, trembling with anger, a voice behind her boomed, “Young lady? Are you supposed to be in the halls right now?”

Julie stopped in her tracks. She turned and found herself looking right at Mr. Sanchez’s pencil, which was pointed at her this time. His piercing eyes made her feel like a rabbit caught in an eagle’s talons.

She held up her hall pass. “I’m on my way back to class,” she squeaked.

“No wandering around now. Straight back to your lessons.”

“Yes, Mr. Sanchez,” Julie said, hurrying—but careful not to run—back to class.