1 A NEW KIND OF HOMEWORK Newton hurried along the sidewalk He walked so fast his glasses jiggled on his nose Newton hardly noticed He was too busy making sure he’d remembered everything for the field trip Did I pack my lunchbox he thought Yes Did I bring a sweatshirt just in case Yes 11
Did I finish my math worksheet Yes But wait did I put it back in my homework folder Newton stopped short He flung his backpack on the ground and tugged at the zipper The backpack opened with a wide yawn There was the worksheet right where it was supposed to be Phew
Greetings Newton said a squeaky voice Newton looked up Spork was waving hello from the top of his spaceship Oh Hi Spork said Newton Spork seemed nice Very nice actually It was just Newton couldn’t quite get used to hanging out with a space alien Spork had landed on Earth a few days before in the middle of the school playground Mrs Buckle had invited him to join the third grade and right away the other kids seemed comfortable with Spork Trixie played hopscotch with him Grace shared her pencil box with him And Jack well Jack picked on him the way he picked on everybody 13
Newton was pretty sure he was the only one who felt shaky around the little alien Just finishing my homework Spork called down to Newton I didn’t know how to do it at first since my home is so far away Then I thought my spaceship is my home for now So I worked on it all night I dusted the plasma panels scrubbed the proton boosters Spork picked up a shimmery cloth He rubbed the round window of his ship Looks good huh Yes but Newton began Before he could say anything else someone behind him started to laugh Newton turned around Jack stood there grinning 14
