Mary Ann Jacobs

They were arguing about what was wrong with the economy.... Mary Ann’s parents had conversations like this all the time. They weren’t on opposite sides, but they had different opinions about what would make the world a happy place and they liked expressing them.

Mary Ann Jacobs listened to her parents’ conversation as she ate her cereal. They were arguing about what was wrong with the economy. Mary Ann’s parents had conversations like this all the time. They weren’t on opposite sides, but they had different opinions about what would make the world a happy place, and they liked expressing them.

Mary Ann Jacobs stared at her math book, trying to make sense of it all. It was too difficult! She had been staring at the same problem for over an hour, but she had no idea how to solve it. She could ask her brother Rupert for help.... Unlike her, he was good at everything.

Mary Ann was really excited to finally turn 12. She thought it was the best age ever! Her mother seemed a little emotional about it. “It seems like only yesterday when you were a tiny creature with black curls and big brown eyes....” Mary Ann watched her mom pull out all sorts of different ingredients and set them on the counter.

Mary Ann couldn’t quite balance her body on her new roller skates. Her parents had given her a pair of blue-and-white roller skates for her birthday, and she really wanted to try them out and learn how to use them. She had put on her helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards, and her brother Rupert was coaching her, letting her hold on to his arm for support every time she was ready to fall.

Mary Ann Jacobs tore open the bright pink envelope and saw a shiny invitation covered with glitter. “You’re invited to a dance party!” she read. She had been invited to Yolanda’s thirteenth birthday next Saturday at the Tates! Mary Ann was elated. Yolanda always threw the best birthday parties. This was a little different, though....

Mary Ann Jacobs looked stunning in her softball uniform. She just couldn’t wait to play in her first softball game. She was so ready for it! She strutted into the kitchen, showing off her new muscles and punching the air happily. “What’s the big deal?” her brother Rupert said. It may not be a big deal for him, but for Mary Ann, it was huge.

All the girls at Mary Ann’s school hated their hair. Lydia, who had beautiful long, straight blonde hair, complained about it. Bethany, who had shiny red hair that others would kill for, hated her hair color. Suddenly, they had an idea.