Ship of Dolls by Shirley Parenteau

Author:Shirley Parenteau [Parenteau, Shirley]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-0-7636-7415-1
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Published: 2014-08-17T16:00:00+00:00

The others settling into their seats might have been in a separate classroom. For Lexie, the whispers and scrapes of chairs faded. She could think only of the letter. Who would judge? How soon? Would each of them read their letters aloud or just turn them in to be judged?

The letter in her desk was as perfect as she could make it. Or was it? Should she take it out and read it again to be sure?

No, there was no time left. And the letter said exactly what it should, exactly what she wanted. She would leave it in the desk until it was time to hand it in so she wouldn’t be tempted to mess it up with erasures that she would only change and change again.

Instead, she stared at the map with the gold stars over three cities and waited.

The minutes passed slowly, but at last, the classroom door opened. Mr. Wilkins came in with a cardboard box. He meant to collect them, then.

For an awful moment, Lexie panicked. What if Louise’s father threw out the letters and kept just the one written by his daughter? She squeezed her hands together to keep them from shaking. Mr. Wilkins put a lot of store by honor. That’s what Grandpa said. Her letter would be given a fair chance, along with all the others.

Miss Tompkins welcomed their visitor. Turning to the class, she introduced him, as if everyone in the class didn’t already know that Louise’s father was the head of the school board.

Mr. Wilkins was tall and wore a dress suit as crisp as their principal’s. He looked over the class, not taking any special notice of Louise. Louise didn’t try to draw his attention. She sat model-​student straight, with her hands on her desk and her expression serious. Maybe life wasn’t as easy for her as Lexie had thought from looking at her expensive clothes and beauty shop haircuts.

“I understand the boys were not interested in this project.” Mr. Wilkins swept a severe glance over the boys. Even Ollie showed good sense for once and remained silent. “Therefore, it gives me pleasure to announce a prize the school board will award to the girl who has written the best letter.” Mr. Wilkins sounded as serious as Louise looked. Lexie could scarcely draw a breath. Were the rumors true? Would the winner go to San Francisco?

“You have all contributed your efforts and your pennies to purchase and clothe this doll.” He placed one hand on Emily Grace’s head. “You know this doll will join thousands of others on a journey to the country of Japan. Many are already aboard trains traveling across America toward the port of San Francisco. Who can tell me why?”

He pointed to a girl in the first row. She answered promptly. “They’re for children who live in all parts of Japan.”

“Yes.” He motioned to Alma. “But why are we sending dolls to those children? Can you tell us?”

“For peace,” Alma said. “We hope the dolls will carry our message of friendship.

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