Building Reading Practice

Excerpt from The Book: "No Smiles Today"

Anna and David were good friends. They had so much fun together. They shared secrets in class. They ran races on the way home.One day, Anna came into the classroom slowly. Her head was bent. She looked sad. “Did someone shout at you?” asked David. Anna shook her head and did not look up. When the teacher called her name Anna raised her hand.“Do you have a sore throat?” her teacher asked her. Anna shook her head. “Are you feeling okay?” Anna nodded, Still not daring to look up.“Why does Anna look so sad?” “Is your little brother okay?” “Is your puppy okay?” “Is your grandmother okay?” Anna kept nodding her head to each of her friends. But she did not look up.David wanted to make her smile. He had an idea! He took out something from his bag. As he ran to show it to Anna, it slipped out of his hands. Anna saw something flying towards her and she grabbed it.It was a BIG, green, rubber frog! Anna's eyes flew open. She opened her mouth to laugh. THEN David and her friends saw why she had not smiled or talked all day! Four of her front teeth are missing!