Rio 2 Read Free Page A

Whoa, whoa,” Blu put his wings up. Now she was getting ahead of herself. “We can’t just pack up and go.”
    â€œWhy not?” Jewel asked. “It’s about time this family got a little air under our wings.” She zoomed in the air toward the startled kids, snatching away their gadgets. “Look at us! iPods. TV! Pancakes! We’re not people. We’re birds .”
    â€œHey!” Carla cried as her iPod was ripped from her talons.
    â€œMom!” Bia and Tiago exclaimed as their mother flew around the room, a bird on a mission.
    â€œWe have to get out to the wild and be birds, Blu!” she told her husband, zooming over to him. “Let the kids connect to their roots. Show them what I had.”
    There was a spark in Jewel’s eyes that Blu had never seen before. “They need this,” Jewel went on, passionate. “ We need this. Come on, Blu. What do you say?”
    He hesitated. “I don’t know. Maybe . . . uhhh . . .”
    â€œHe didn’t say no!” Carla exclaimed.
    â€œWhich means he practically said yes!” Bia added excitedly.
    Things were moving too fast. “Hey. Wait a second—”
    â€œIt’s gonna be so much fun!” Jewel exclaimed.
    Tiago did a wing pump. “Yeahhhhhh! We’re going to the Amazo n !” Then he looked at his parents. “What’s the Amazon?”

Chapter 3

    E very year, Nico and Pedro put on an incredible show for Carnaval. And every year, everyone wanted to be a part of it. This year was no exception.
    A long line of birds sat perched on the telephone wires outside Luiz’s garage. Pigeons and parakeets, doves and hummingbirds and cuckoos all mingled together, doing vocal exercises and getting ready for their moment to shine.
    â€œNext!” Luiz called. He was working the entrance door. A tall, long-legged spoonbill confidently looked at the other contenders.
    â€œThat would be me,” he said cockily. “Okay, everyone can go home now. You’re looking at the next King of Carnaval!”
    He flew through the door and landed next to Luiz.
    â€œHey, big bird, break a leg!” Luiz said encouragingly. As the bird walked inside, he slipped on Luiz’s drool and fell down.
    Luiz winced. “Ooooh! Walk it off, buddy!”
    Â 
    It was audition time, and Eva had just finished belting out a rousing song. From the judge’s table, Nico and Pedro stared at her openmouthed. Rafael was hanging on every note. Rafael smiled and clapped energetically. Then he flew over to her side.
    â€œBravo! Bravo! Bravo! That was amazing! Eva, darling, you hit every note!” He turned to look at Nico and Pedro. “Huh, guys?”
    â€œYeah, yeah, with a bunch of notes I never heard of,” Pedro muttered under his breath.
    Eva was looking eagerly at the judges. “So, am I going to be in your Carnaval production this year? Hmmm?”
    Nico and Pedro looked at each other. Neither of them knew what to say.
    Pedro spoke first. “Yeah, yeah, we’ll get back to you,” he told her.
    â€œUh, Rafael has your contact info, right?” Nico asked.
    Eva sensed that they weren’t being truthful with her. “Raffi!” She turned to her husband for help. He ushered her out.
    â€œDon’t worry,” he assured her as she glared at him. “I’ll talk to them. We’ll find the perfect spot for you.”
    â€œIn Ecuador, maybe,” Nico mumbled.
    â€œYou better,” Eva said to Rafael threateningly. Then she turned back to Nico and Pedro. “Ciao, ciao. Bye, boys!” And with a wave, the opera-singing toucan flew off.
    â€œSee you back at home, my tasty mango!” Rafael called after her.
    Nico sighed. “None of the acts are inspiring. I’m just not inspired. Carnaval is right around the corner and our reputations are on the line.”
    â€œCopy that,” Pedro agreed. “We need something that