Junie B. Jones Is Captain Field Day Read Free Page A

here.”
    Room Nine did a groan.
    I backed away from them real careful. Or else they might tackle me, possibly.
    I backed all the way to Mrs.
    “They're mad at me,” I said. “They're mad because I lost the race.”
    Mrs. ruffled my hair.
    “It's not your fault, Junie B.,” she said. “Your shoe came off by accident. And besides, Field Day is not about who wins or loses. Field Day is about having fun.”
    I hanged down my head.
    “Yeah, only what's so fun about losing? That's what I would like to know,” I said.
    Just then, Mrs. made a ’nouncement.
    “Boys and girls, I don't want to hear one more word about winners and losers, okay? Field Day is a day to run around in the fresh air and enjoy the sunshine. We came out here to have fun and get some exercise. And we're not going to care one little bit about who wins or who loses.”
    As soon as Mrs. walked away, New Thelma skipped up next to me.
    “Room Eight is winning,” she said real squealy. “Room Eight is beating Room Nine one to nothing.”
    I made a mad face at her.
    “Yeah, only didn't you hear my teacher, Thelma?” I said. “Room Nine doesn't even
care
who wins and loses. Room Nine just came out here to run in the air. So ha ha on you.”
    “Yeah,” said Ricardo.
    “Yeah,” said Jamal Hall.
    “Yeah,” said Lynnie.
    Then all of those people gave me a high five. ’Cause I made a good point, apparently.
    Pretty soon, the Room Eight teacher blew her whistle again.
    “The next event will be the softball throw,” she said. “Unlike the relay race, this contest is not going to be a team event. The softball throw is for anyone who wants to join in. If you'd like to see how far you can throw the ball, please form a line behind me.”
    Paulie Allen Puffer was the first one in line.
    “I'm a good thrower,” he said. “I'm probably the best thrower in Room Nine, in fact.”
    Lynnie lined up next. “I'm a good thrower, too,” she said.
    “Me too,” said Jamal Hall.
    Just then, Crybaby William pulled on my cape. ’Cause he wanted to whisper again, that's why.

    “I'm not good at this event, either,” he said real quiet. “I don't have to do it, right,Captain? I don't have to throw the ball.”
    I put my arm around his shoulder.
    “No, you don't,” I said. “You don't have to worry about this at all, William. Paulie Allen Puffer is going to win this thing in a breeze for us.”
    Just then, a boy from Room Eight jumped in line.
    New Thelma did a loud squeal.
    “Ooooh! It's Strong Frankie! Strong Frankie is the strongest boy in kindergarten!” she said very thrilled.
    All of us looked at him.
    Strong Frankie made a big arm muscle. It was largish and roundish.
    New Thelma cheered and cheered.
    “Go, Strong Frankie! Go, Strong Frankie! Go, Strong Frankie!” she hollered.
    I tapped on her.
    “You are getting on my nerves, madam,” I said.
    New Thelma giggled in my face.
    That girl is a nitwit, I tell you.
    Just then, Mrs. clapped her hands together. “Okay, everyone! We're ready to begin! The first person to throw the softball will be Paulie Allen Puffer from Room Nine! We only have time to give everyone one try. So do your best, okay?”
    Paulie Allen Puffer did a big grin.
    “I only
need
one try,” he said. “I have been throwing softballs my whole life.”
    After that, he picked up the ball from the ground. And he winded up with all his might.
    Then—bam!—he threw the ball as hard as he could!
    Only too bad for Room Nine. Becausehe didn't actually aim that good. And the ball went straight down into the playground.
    It made a round hole in the dirt.
    Room Nine stared and stared at that thing.
    “Bummer,” I said.
    “Bummer,” said Meanie Jim.
    “Bummer,” said Charlotte.
    Paulie Allen Puffer jumped up and down real upset.
    “I need another try! I need another try! Please, Teacher! Please! Please!” he said.
    But Mrs. gave him a pat on the back. And she moved him out of line.
    I walked over to my bestest friend named