Love Double Dutch! by Doreen Spicer-Dannelly

Author:Doreen Spicer-Dannelly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2018-04-03T04:00:00+00:00

It’s a week before the regional competitions and we’re still at the camp practicing. Every morning I look around to see if I can spot Charlie, but I don’t. I begin to think he left or maybe I just keep missing him. Then again, Sally and I have been so focused that all we do is head straight to the gym and hit the floor with Tina and Melissa. We’re learning our strengths and weaknesses. Melissa is an awkward jumper, but now she’s a strong turner. Tina is, well, she’s rhythmic but still jumps with her earbuds. I guess since she lives with younger siblings, she might be in the habit of tuning people out like I do at my house just so I can do homework. Or maybe it’s her way of getting focused. Whatever the reason, the earbuds or anything that could catch the ropes makes me nervous. She’s got to be able to hear us when she’s jumping. I don’t know how, but we’re going to have to get her to jump without them. Either way, Tina’s cool and she’s doing really good.

We’re going over some of the simpler tricks, like pop-ups, push-up jumps, cartwheel entries, and hopefully a flip if we can even try it. Demonstrating to Melissa and Tina isn’t hard; it’s getting them to not be afraid to get hit by the ropes, which happens a lot, that is. One thing is for sure: we’re not getting much attention from the coaches, especially Kirsten. We’ll get a “Keep it up, girls!” from one or two of them, but that’s it. They’re not hounding us like Ms. Jackson and her crew back in Brooklyn would, but some help would be great. I think the coaches are putting all their hopes on the Belles. Well, we’ll see about that.

But the only way we’re going to beat those double Dutch divas, the Belles, is if we put together a crazy freestyle routine that no one can touch. And if it takes all weekend to start putting something together…Hmm…I don’t know. And as much as I hate to admit it, the Belles are really good. But there’s no time for doubt; we have to just get to it. Right when I think we can finally move on, the counselors call us together after lunch.

“Okay, everybody!” A redheaded counselor runs through the gym doors and shouts into a bullhorn. “Today we’re giving you guys a break.” Really? We can’t stop now! A nerdy guy counselor takes the stage and looks around at everyone.

“In the words of Muhammad Ali,” he says, “ ‘I hated every minute of training, but I said, Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’ ”

“But no rest is worth anything except the rest that is earned,” the redhead adds. “And you guys have worked hard and earned a day of fun!”

“So for the rest of the day…wait for it, wait for it,” the nerdy counselor jokes. “You guys will

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.