The Blackboard Problem

This story is inspired by John’s problem in the seventeenth chapter of Louis Sachar’s Sideways Stories from Wayside School. Before we dive into the fan‑fiction, let’s take a look at Chapter 17, “John.”

 

CHAPTER 17. JOHN — SUMMARY

John can only read books when they’re upside down. Since books aren’t printed that way, he has to flip them over himself. But Mrs. Jewls points out that he can’t turn the blackboard upside down. So, if John wants to read what she writes, he’ll have to learn to stand on his head. After several clumsy attempts, John finally manages it with the help of a few classmates. However, when one of them steps away to fetch a book, John loses his balance and falls flat on his face. When he recovers, he’s surprised to discover that he can now read the blackboard just like everyone else.

At first, everything seemed perfectly normal. John was one of the most active students in Mrs. Jewls’s class. He joined every activity, gave excellent answers, read better than almost everyone else, and always did his homework on time.

One day, Mrs. Jewls was solving a difficult math problem on the blackboard. It was a long line of tricky fractions, and the whole class was scrambling to  copy it down. That’s when she noticed something strange.

She stopped from writing and stared at John. He wasn’t copying from the blackboard at all. He was copying from Joe’s notebook—Joe, who was sitting behind him.

“Wait a minute, class,” Mrs. Jewls said. “John, what are you doing?”

John looked up. “I’m copying the problem from the blackboard.”

“No, you aren’t,” she said. “You’re copying it from Joe.”

John hesitated. “Sometimes I copy from Joe,” he admitted. “But mostly I copy from the blackboard.”

“Why do you need to copy from Joe at all?” Mrs. Jewls asked.

“Because I can’t always see the blackboard very well,” John explained. “But I can see Joe’s notebook better.”

“How can you see Joe’s notebook better?” Mrs. Jewls demanded. “It’s upside down.”

John shrugged. “I don’t know.”

Mrs. Jewls picked up a book and handed it to him. “Read a page for me.”

John’s eyes widened. “What page?”

“Any page.”

John opened the book slowly. His hands were shaking.

“You make me nervous when you watch me like that,” he said, dropping the book onto his desk. “Could you go back to the blackboard? I think I’ll feel more comfortable.”

“You read books upside down, don’t you?” Mrs. Jewls said.

John sighed, then nodded. “Yes.”

“How long have you been reading like this?”

“Since I was little. I’ve always read this way.”

“I suppose you also write upside down,” the teacher said. “How can anyone read your work?”

John shrugged again. “I just turn the paper upside down,” he muttered.

“Right,” Mrs. Jewls said. “Do your parents know about this?”

“Yes, they do.”

Mrs. Jewls glanced at the clock. “All right, class. You may go to lunch five minutes early today. We’ll meet again after recess.”

The children cheered and rushed out—everyone except John. He walked slowly behind them, hoping Mrs. Jewls wouldn’t force him to read right-side up from now on.

As soon as the room was empty, Mrs. Jewls called John’s father.

“I need to speak with you as soon as possible,” she said. “But I can’t leave the school now.”

“If the mountain won’t come to you, you must go to the mountain,” the man replied. “I’ll be there in five minutes.”

Mrs. Jewls met him on the first floor, in the administration office.

“It’s about the way John reads and writes, isn’t it?” he said.

“Indeed,” she replied. “When did you first realize he reads upside down?”

“Long before he could read,” John’s father said. “His mother noticed something unusual. John loved drawing, but he would sketch a boat and call it a house. Then he’d draw a cup and say it was a hat.”

“Interesting,” Mrs. Jewls murmured.

“It became obvious when he wrote an M and insisted it was a W, or scribbled a 9 and said it was a 6,” the man continued. “Now he’s great at puzzles because he can see pieces in any position. And he beats everyone at Monopoly because he can read the board upside down.”

“Do you know why he’s different from the other children?” Mrs. Jewls asked.

John’s father shook his head. “No idea. His vision is perfect.”

“I thought so,” Mrs. Jewls said. “That means it must be his brain—and we can’t mess with a child’s brain.”

“Absolutely not.”

“The problem is he can’t read the blackboard,” she declared. “I’d like your permission to try some new methods. Nothing that will affect his brain.”

John’s father thought for a moment. “I don’t see why not. As long as it doesn’t involve messing with his brain.”

“Not at all,” Mrs. Jewls promised.

“Good,” he said, standing. “I must return to the office. We’ll keep in touch.”

As the man left, Mrs. Jewls considered John’s problem. 

We can’t turn the blackboard upside down, she reasoned. If the mountain won’t come to you, you must go to the mountain. That means John will have to learn to stand on his head.

She hurried up the stairs to the thirtieth story, excited that she had found a solution.

Minimalism

This story is inspired by Rondi’s situation in the thirteenth chapter of Louis Sachar’s Sideways Stories from Wayside School. Before we dive into the fan‑fiction, let’s take a look at Chapter 13, “Rondi.”

CHAPTER 13. RONDI — SUMMARY

Rondi is missing her two front teeth, and suddenly everyone thinks those missing teeth are the cutest things in the world. She can’t understand why. After all, something that doesn’t exist can’t be cute or beautiful. Her classmates start teasing her by complimenting outfits she didn’t wear and laughing at jokes she never told. When she finally tries to tell a real joke, no one pays attention. At recess, she runs outside only to be stopped by Louis, who wants to see her adorable front teeth. She screams and punches him in the stomach. 

It was a late autumn, foggy morning. When Mrs. Jewls entered the classroom, she looked tired and a little gloomy. She squinted at the cloudy sky outside the window and the gray buildings fading into the mist.

“Why didn’t you turn on all the lights this morning?” she asked Stephen.

Stephen blinked. “I did! I turned on every single one.”

“You’re right,” Mrs. Jewls muttered, glancing around. “But the room still looks boring and sad. How can we work in an environment like this?”

“We can’t,” Terrence agreed. “Shall we call it a day and come back tomorrow? Maybe the weather will improve.”

Mrs. Jewls wagged her finger at him. “Nice try. No, I mean, can’t we do something to make the classroom look better?”

Todd scratched his head. “I don’t know. Should we clean it again?”

“The classroom is clean,” Mrs. Jewls said. “Cleanliness isn’t the problem. The problem is that it doesn’t look enjoyable, does it?”

“That’s why I prefer the kickball field,” Todd said. “It looks like you can do anything you want out there.”

“Okay, class,” Mrs. Jewls announced. “I need a volunteer to decorate the classroom so we can actually enjoy being here. That way I can teach better, and you can have fun while you learn.”

Todd’s and Terrence’s hands shot up at the same time.

“I raised my hand first!” Terrence shouted.

“No, you didn’t,” Todd said, even though he hadn’t looked at Terrence at all.

“Maybe you two can work together,” Mrs. Jewls decided. “And Louis can help you. He has access to the workshop behind the school.”

When school let out, Todd and Terrence were ready. They weren’t thrilled to work together, but they had no choice.

“Okay, boys,” Louis said, patting them on the back. “What’s your design idea?”

Todd and Terrence stared at each other.

“What does ‘design’ mean?” Terrence asked.

“I mean, what’s your plan for how the room should look?” Louis explained.

“I thought you were going to tell us how it should look,” Terrence muttered.

“Guys, use your creativity,” Louis urged. “What do you like?”

“Dinosaurs,” Todd said.

“Pyramids,” Terrence said.

“Pyramids?” Louis and Todd exclaimed.

“Pyramids are big and strong,” Terrence declared. “And they look perfect.”

“We’re not turning our classroom into a pyramid,” Todd grumbled.

“At least I have a design idea,” Terrence said. “What do you have? Dinosaurs?”

They worked all afternoon. By the time they left, Louis had helped them build several tall columns and a huge chair at Mrs. Jewls’s desk, something that looked like a pharaoh’s throne.

Mrs. Jewls nearly screamed when she walked in the next morning.

“Oh my gosh!” she gasped. “Did ancient Egyptians invade our school?”

Todd shrugged. “Terrence insisted. He thinks pyramids look perfect.”

“They looked perfect,” Mrs. Jewls agreed, “but I don’t feel like teaching in here anymore.”

“Shall we call it a day and come back tomorrow?” Terrence suggested. “Maybe you’ll get used to it.”

“No,” Mrs. Jewls said. “I need someone else to come up with a better design. Who can think of something more appropriate?”

Joy’s and Maurecia’s hands shot up.

“You two are best friends,” Mrs. Jewls said. “I’m sure you’ll create something better, with Louis’s help of course.”

After classes, Louis arrived again.

“I hope you have a clear design plan,” he said. “What do you girls like?”

“I love flowing lines,” Joy said.

“And I like natural shapes,” Maurecia added.

Louis nodded. “Art Nouveau, then.”

The girls exchanged confused looks.

“Let’s use plants and flowers,” Louis explained.

The girls smiled. They placed big pots of green plants and colorful flowers around the room. They draped long vines over the columns Todd and Terrence had built. By the time they finished, the classroom looked like a friendly jungle, or a very wild garden.

Mrs. Jewls was stunned the next morning. At first she wasn’t sure where she was. Then she nearly tripped over backpacks and outstretched legs as she tried to reach her desk. It took her fifteen minutes to get to the front of the room.

“This is not going to work,” she sighed.

Terrence raised his hand. “Can I say something?”

“No, Terrence,” Mrs. Jewls said. “We are not calling it a day and coming back tomorrow. I need someone to create a different design or I’ll never be able to teach in here again.”

“Hurray!” Terrence cheered.

Everyone glared at him.

“Any volunteers?” Mrs. Jewls asked.

No one raised a hand.

She rubbed her chin. “All right, Stephen. You’re class president. I want you to work with Louis and fix this room. We can’t work like this.”

“But I’m not good at interior design,” Stephen protested.

“Then I’ll have to appoint someone else class president,” Mrs. Jewls said.

Stephen hoped inspiration would strike before Louis arrived, but it didn’t. He had no idea what to do.

“What’s your plan?” Louis asked when he walked in.

Stephen looked around at the chaos. “First, let’s get all these plants and flowers out. It’s getting stuffy in here.”

They carried everything to the school garden.

“What now?” Louis asked.

“The columns and the giant throne have to go,” Stephen said. “They make the room feel like a tomb.”

They hauled everything to a storage room in the basement. Then they wiped the blackboard and cleaned the classroom carefully.

“Are we finished?” Louis asked.

Stephen scratched his head. “I think so. We’re left with the blackboard, the desks, and the chairs. What do you call this style?”

“Minimalism,” Louis said.

“Perfect,” Stephen replied. “Minimalism it is. Let’s go home.”

When Mrs. Jewls entered the classroom the next morning, she smiled brightly.

“It’s amazing, Stephen!” she exclaimed. “Now I can finally teach.”

All the students agreed. They could finally learn too.

All except Terrence.

“The room looks exactly the same as it did at the beginning,” he said, but nobody listened.

Mr. Master

This story is inspired by D.J.’s view of happiness in the sixteenth chapter of Louis Sachar’s Sideways Stories from Wayside School. Before we dive into the fan‑fiction, let’s take a look at Chapter 16, “D.J.”

CHAPTER 16. D.J. — SUMMARY

D.J. arrives at school wearing a huge grin. When Mrs. Jewls and the rest of the class see his smile, they catch it instantly and begin smiling too. It feels as if the whole classroom (walls, desks, and chairs included) wants to laugh, especially since D.J.’s face never stops looking cheerful. Everyone asks him what he’s so excited about, but D.J. just keeps smiling. Even at recess, when Louis presses him for an explanation, D.J. simply says that you need a reason to be sad. You don’t need a reason to be happy.

D.J. wanted nothing more for his birthday than to invite Mr. Master, the great magician, to perform at his party. He still remembered how excited he’d been at Todd’s birthday — right up until Jason marched onto the stage and ruined the whole show. D.J. had been devastated.

So, his parents decided to call Mr. Master directly.

“Did you say D.J.’s birthday party?” the old magician asked over the phone.

“Yes,” D.J.’s father replied. “I’m his dad.”

“Is D.J the boy who goes to Wayside School? Same class as Todd?”

“That’s right. Do you know Todd?”

“Oh, I know Todd,” Mr. Master muttered. “And Jason. I know them very well.”

“Excellent!” D.J.’s father said.

Mr. Master cleared his throat. “I’ll perform for D.J., but only if no one else attends. Just him and his parents.”

D.J.’s father hesitated. “So, no guests? Well, all right. Should I give you our address?”

“No!” the magician barked. “If I come to your house, we could be interrupted by uninvited guests.”

“Uninvited guests?” D.J.’s father repeated,. “Then where should we meet?”

“In a hot air balloon,” Mr. Master declared. “No one can disturb us up there.”

D.J.’s father laughed. “That actually sounds like fun.”

“Good. Book a ride on a sunny day with wonderful weather. D.J. will see the best magic show of his life.”

When D.J.’s parents explained the plan, he was thrilled. And confused.

“I checked,” his father said. “Only two companies offer balloon rides: Balloonicorn Flights (cheaper but shorter) and Skyberry Balloons (pricier but more fun).”

“Let’s choose Skyberry,” D.J.’s mother urged. “Mr. Master probably expects us to pick the cheaper one.”

“He can’t prepare anything anyway,” D.J. laughed. “How could anyone set up tricks in a balloon basket?”

He was wrong, of course. Mr. Master had secret arrangements with both companies, allowing him to install hidden trapdoors and compartments in one of their balloons. So, when D.J.’s family booked their ride, the magician was already waiting.

They met him at dawn beside a wide green field, where a tall red balloon swayed gently in the morning breeze.

“Good morning, my friend,” Mr. Master said, shaking D.J.’s hand. “Excited?”

“Of course! It’s my birthday. And the best magician in town is performing for me.”

“And you’re riding in a hot air balloon,” Mr. Master added with a wink. “By the way, the ride lasts a couple of hours, and we’re not allowed to bring food or drinks. So, we’d better hydrate first.”

He opened a black leather bag at his feet and pulled out a carton of orange juice and four plastic cups.

“Amazing!” D.J.’s father exclaimed. “How did you know we were thirsty?”

“Part of the job,” the magician chuckled.

They drank quickly. Mr. Master pretended to sip his, then spilled it onto the grass when no one was looking. He tossed the empty carton and cups into a nearby bin, locked his bag with a long metal key, and climbed into the basket with them.

The balloon lifted off smoothly. Mr. Master handed his leather bag to D.J.

“Take care of this while I get us into the sky.”

He pulled ropes, adjusted levers, and soon they were drifting above the city. Then he turned around with a flourish and produced three sun umbrellas.

“These will protect you from the bright sunshine. And help you see my moves better.”

“Where did the umbrellas come from?” D.J.’s mother gasped. The magician wore tight trousers and a short sleeved shirt; there was nowhere to hide umbrellas.

“Magic,” he said simply, placing his hands on a small table in the center of the basket.

He asked D.J.’s parents about their favorite colors, the first letters of their names, and their favorite fruit juices. It was mango for Mom, cherry for Dad. Then he and used the answers to guess their birthdays with fantastic accuracy.

Then he turned to D.J.

“Your turn.”

“You already know my birthday,” D.J. laughed.

“True,” the magician admitted. “Then let me ask you this: if you could have one wish, any wish at all, what would it be? Think carefully.”

D.J. thought carefully. “I’d wish to be happy.”

“A wise choice,” Mr. Master said. “After all, being happy is the best thing you can wish for. But if you think of it, you don’t even need a wish for happiness.”

“I need a reason to be happy,” D.J. insisted.

“Then please hand me the red tube from my bag,” the magician said, giving D.J. the long metal key. “I’ll hold your umbrella.”

The bag was full of top hats, colorful scarves, white bunny plushies, and card decks. D.J. rummaged through it until he found a wide red plastic tube.

“It’s just a normal tube,” Mr. Master said, peering through it. He set it on the table.

D.J. nodded.

“What about now?” the magician asked, lifting the tube.

A tall glass appeared on the table.

“Wow!” D.J.’s mother gasped.

“Unfortunately, it’s empty,” Mr. Master said. “And what do people think when their glass is empty?”

“They think they’re unlucky,” D.J. replied.

“Exactly.” The magician lowered the tube, hiding the glass. “And what about now?”

He lifted it again. The glass was now full of orange juice.

“What’s your favorite juice, D.J.?”

“Orange.”

The magician threw up his hands. “How did I know?”

D.J.’s father frowned. “But what does this have to do with happiness?”

“Everything,” Mr. Master said. “D.J., how do people feel when their glass is empty?”

“Sad,” the boy answered.

“And when it’s full?”

“Happy.”

“Good. Now drink half.”

“But I drank a cup of juice only five minutes ago,” D.J. protested.

“That was half an hour ago,” Mr. Master said. “Do you want the show to continue?”

D.J. gulped down half the juice.

“And now?” he sighed.

Mr. Master placed the glass on the table.

“What do people think when they see a glass like this?” he asked.

D.J. scratched his head.

“Optimistic people think the glass is half full, while pessimistic ones believe the glass is half empty,” D.J.’s mother explained.

“Yes,” the magician exclaimed. “For some reason, they’re happier when they enjoy a lot of liquid. So, please drink the rest of the juice, D.J.”

“But I’m full!”

“Do you want me to continue?”

Groaning, D.J. finished the juice. His hand trembled as he set the glass down.

“You’re full of juice,” the magician said. “Are you happy?”

“No!” D.J. yelled. “I need a toilet right now and we’re in the sky!”

Mr. Master yanked ropes and pushed levers. The balloon descended rapidly and landed beside a porta cabin toilet at the edge of a park. D.J. sprinted inside.

When he returned, the magician asked, “How do you feel? Happy or sad?”

“Happy,” D.J. sighed with relief.

“That’s your lesson, my boy,” Mr. Master said, packing the umbrellas into his bag. “You need a reason to be sad. You don’t need a reason to be happy.”

 

Ruining All the Fun

This story is inspired by Deedee’s efforts to get a green ball in the fifteenth chapter of Louis Sachar’s Sideways Stories from Wayside School. Before we dive into the fan‑fiction, let’s take a look at Chapter 15, “Deedee.”

CHAPTER 15. DEEDEE — SUMMARY

Deedee always wants to get a green ball from Louis, or at least a red one. But because she has to run down thirty flights of stairs to reach the playground, she always arrives after Louis has already handed out all the good balls. Every recess, Deedee tries a new strategy to get to the schoolyard faster: she takes the stairs ten at a time, she cuts across the grass like a professional runner, and she even asks Mrs. Jewls to let her go to recess early. Nothing works. Eventually, she disguises herself as a dead rat, and because Mrs. Jewls doesn’t allow dead rats in her classroom, Deedee suddenly finds herself outside on the playground, first in line to ask Louis for a green ball.

At recess, Dameon never made the teams. He always ended up on the bench under the chestnut tree, waiting for someone to slip or get tired so he could take their place.

He was watching the clouds drift behind Wayside School like a playful herd of white sheep when he heard quick footsteps pounding across the volleyball court. He turned just in time to see Deedee’s sneakers tearing a line through the grass. She reached the monkey bars, checked her watch, and bent over, panting.

Dameon stood and walked toward her.

“Is that a stopwatch?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.

Deedee nodded between breaths. “Yup. There are fifty yards from the school entrance to the monkey bars.”

“I didn’t know that,” Dameon chuckled. “I’m terrible at guessing distances.”

Deedee tapped the stopwatch. “I can run it in ten seconds now. If I get it down to eight, I’ll reach Louis before Todd does.”

“Why do you need to beat Todd?”

“To get a red ball. Or at least a green one,” she said. “Todd always ends up with the last green ball.”

“But you don’t have to kill your lungs for it,” Dameon laughed. “You’ll make the teams even if you’re not the one who gets the ball.”

Deedee brushed dust and grass off her ankles and jogged back toward the school steps to try again.

“Hey, Dameon!” someone called.

He turned. Todd was waving from the kickball field.

“Did someone get tired?” Dameon asked.

“Nope,” Todd said. “Come sit on the bench.”

Dameon headed back toward the chestnut tree. “I was telling Deedee she can join our teams,” he said. “Or she can sit with me until there’s a free spot.”

“Deedee’s trying to get the ball herself,” Todd replied. “Leave her alone. You’re ruining her fun.”

Dameon snorted. “Did you see her purple face? She didn’t look like she was having fun.”

The next day, neither Todd nor Deedee bothered to chase Louis for a ball. Instead, they slipped behind the school, where Deedee began running back and forth across the porch.

Suddenly she sprinted toward the edge, jumped off, and tucked her knees to her chest, spotting her landing point like a hawk. Dameon watched in awe as she touched down on the balls of her feet beneath the older chestnut tree near the fence. She bent her knees and held her arms out for balance.

“Oh my gosh!” Dameon shouted, rushing to her. “Deedee, are you okay? What happened?”

“Deedee is fine,” Todd called from the porch. “Relax, dude.”

He crouched and offered his hand so Deedee could climb back up.

Dameon frowned. “Does Louis know what you two are doing? What is going on?”

“Nothing,” Todd said. “I’m teaching her parkour. That was a precision landing.”

“Precision landing,” Dameon repeated. “What does she need that for?”

Deedee grinned. “Look. When the bell rings, everyone rushes down the stairs. Some kids take two or three steps at a time. I need to take ten steps at a time if I want a red ball. Or at least a green one. That’s why I need precision landing.”

Dameon stared at her. “That’s crazy,” he whispered. “Let me get the ball for you. You don’t have to do all this.”

Todd squinted at him. “What’s your deal, Dameon? Do you like Deedee?”

“I don’t like Deedee!” Dameon blurted. His face turned bright red. “I mean, I like her, but not that much.”

“Then leave her alone,” Todd said. “She just wants to get the ball herself.”

The next morning, Dameon tried to forget all about Deedee and her bizarre training. He didn’t make the teams again, but Todd told him to wait on the bench until someone slipped or got tired.

He was watching the clouds drift across the kickball field when he noticed something strange behind the school. The crown of the chestnut tree was shaking violently, even though there wasn’t a breath of wind.

He stood and walked toward it.

Suddenly Deedee burst out of the tree like a launched firework, plunging toward the ground faster than a ball Terrence kicked over the fence. For a moment, Dameon was sure she was going to die.

But she bounced, flipped in the air, and landed on her feet. Two long elastic cords stretched from her waist to the branches above.

He sprinted to her. “Deedee! Are you okay?”

“Better than you are,” she laughed, unclipping the cords. “This is just bungee jumping.”

“I know what bungee jumping is!” he gasped. “But why are you doing it?”

“You know I look like a mousy little girl,” she said. “Tomorrow I’ll pretend to be a dead rat. Mrs. Jewls will throw me out the window. I’ll be the first one to reach Louis. Red ball guaranteed.”

“But you’ll break your neck, won’t you?”

“Not if I use these bungee cords,” she declared. “I’ll carry them in my backpack.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier to just carry a red ball?” Dameon asked.

“Leave her alone, dude,” Todd called from behind. “You’re ruining all the fun.”

LAB RATS

This story is inspired by the strange behavior of the “new kid” in the fourteenth chapter of Louis Sachar’s Sideways Stories from Wayside School. Before we dive into the fan‑fiction, let’s take a look at Chapter 14, “Sammy.”

CHAPTER 14. SAMMY — SUMMARY

It’s a rainy day, and the classroom smells funny. Mrs. Jewls’s students are excited because a new kid is joining their class. Their excitement quickly turns to horror when the newcomer starts yelling at them and calling everyone mean names. He also manages to stay completely hidden under an impressive pile of smelly raincoats, which he refuses to take off. When Mrs. Jewls finally removes all the coats, she’s shocked to discover a dead rat underneath,, one she promptly throws away.

The building across the street from Wayside School was even taller. Everyone thought it was a fifty story hospital, but in reality it housed army laboratories where dozens of scientists tested advanced equipment and gadgets you usually only see in the movies.

On the fiftieth floor, one lab specialized in training animals: pigeons, fish, and especially rats. Hundreds of rats learned to slip through security systems, report their positions, and complete missions that humans would later use in special operations around the world.

It was lunchtime. Dr. Bidenko slid the glass container back into the metal cupboard and locked it. Then he glanced at one of the video screens on the wall. Inside the container, the rats were clustered around a number puzzle he had prepared for them. If any of the rats solved it, a trapdoor would open and they’d be free to explore the maze below.

He grabbed a hot dog from the table and stepped onto the balcony, where Ms. Germs was already standing. Both names were fake—standard procedure in a secret facility where no one was supposed to know anyone’s real identity.

Ms. Germs was staring into the distance through a pair of oversized army binoculars.

“Checking the sky for spies?” Dr. Bidenko said between bites.

“You can never be too careful,” Ms. Germs chuckled. She lowered the binoculars and squinted at the clouds. “Looks like rain tomorrow.”

“I enjoy rainy weather,” Dr. Bidenko replied. “I’ve got raincoats in every color.”

Ms. Germs shook her head. “Rainy days stink in this part of the city. Too much pollution.”

Dr. Bidenko finished his second hot dog and took a long sip of soda. He paused when a loud bell rang from across the street.

“Recess at Wayside School,” Ms. Germs said, pointing at the playground below. “Sometimes watching the kids is like studying the rats in our lab.”

“What are you talking about?” Dr. Bidenko laughed. “Humans aren’t like rats.”

“But rats can be like humans,” Ms. Germs replied. “Here! Look at this.”

She handed him the binoculars and pointed toward the kickball field.

“That boy in the middle is Todd. Watch him.”

Dr. Bidenko focused the lenses. Terrence kicked the ball, which shot off in the wrong direction. Everyone except Todd ducked. The ball smacked Todd right in the neck.

“What’s wrong with that boy?” Dr. Bidenko muttered.

“Todd always thinks before he reacts,” Ms. Germs said. “Our rats do the opposite. They react before they think. That’s why they’re so good.”

Dr. Bidenko nodded slowly. “True. But I’ve noticed strange things lately.”

“It’s unavoidable,” Ms. Germs sighed.

“What do you mean?”

“All the labs are downsizing. When I first came here, over a thousand people worked in this building.”

“And now?”

“Maybe a hundred.”

“That explains it,” Dr. Bidenko murmured. “Last week I was working on codes and passwords, and my rats acted strangely.”

“What did they do?”

“They used the letter blocks I gave them to spell HELP,” he said. “No codes. No passwords. Just HELP, from dawn to dusk.”

Ms. Germs smiled. “At least your rats are still smart.” She checked her watch. “Recess is over. Let’s get back.”

They stepped inside. Dr. Bidenko glanced at the screens. Ms. Germs leaned over his shoulder.

“Looks like they solved the puzzle,” she said. “They’re in the maze.”

“Yeah, but Sammy’s missing,” Dr. Bidenko muttered.

“Who’s Sammy?”

“Everyone else uses letters and numbers to name their rats,” he explained. “I prefer real names: Timmy, Joey, Sammy.”

“Sammy’s not a bad name,” Ms. Germs said.

“If I don’t find him by tomorrow, he’ll be gone,” Dr. Bidenko sighed. “He’s the third one since September.”

Ms. Germs looked toward the window. “It’s going to be a rainy day tomorrow,” she said. “I hope he’ll be all right.”

FREEMAN

This story is inspired by Rondi’s situation in the thirteenth chapter of Louis Sachar’s Sideways Stories from Wayside School. Before we dive into the fan‑fiction, let’s take a look at Chapter 13, “Rondi.”

CHAPTER 13. RONDI — SUMMARY

Rondi is missing her two front teeth, and suddenly everyone thinks those missing teeth are the cutest things in the world. She can’t understand why. After all, something that doesn’t exist can’t be cute or beautiful. Her classmates start teasing her by complimenting outfits she didn’t wear and laughing at jokes she never told. When she finally tries to tell a real joke, no one pays attention. At recess, she runs outside only to be stopped by Louis, who wants to see her adorable front teeth. She screams and punches him in the stomach.

Uncle Freeman was the most unusual guy Rondi had ever met. He was her dad’s best friend. Unlike most adults, he never ignored anyone—not even kids. He was sharp, warm, and funny all at once, which seemed impossible for anyone, let alone someone her father’s age.

“Freeman’s paying us a visit today,” her dad announced last Saturday.

“Really?” Rondi exclaimed. “That’s amazing!”

“I know,” her dad said. “Freeman never goes to anybody’s place. Everyone wants to go to his mansion, where he throws the best parties in town. And he knows all the famous people in the country.”

The news helped Rondi forget about her two front teeth. They had been wobbling for days, and one had finally dropped that morning.

“Cute!” Freeman exclaimed the moment he saw her. “I’ve always loved missing teeth.”

Rondi clamped her lips shut. “You don’t have to be nice to me,” she muttered. “I’m not a little kid anymore. And you can’t love something that doesn’t exist, can you?”

Freeman plopped onto the couch beside her. “First of all, I’m nobody’s uncle,” he laughed. “So, call me Freeman, because that’s exactly what I am: a free man. Second, less is more.”

Rondi snorted. “Less is more? That’s just a slogan, Freeman.”

“Not if you put your money where your mouth is,” he said. “Take me, for example. I sold my house and bought the best pickup truck. Now I travel all over the country in my new trailer home. More friends, more adventures, more freedom. Less is more!”

“You sold your mansion?” Rondi’s dad blurted. “What about your parties? They were the best in town!”

Freeman patted him on the back. “They still are,” he chuckled. “I’m inviting you all to the ultimate barbecue experience outside my trailer. Everyone who’s famous will be there tonight.”

On Monday, Rondi’s second front tooth fell out. That night, she wanted to tell her dad how her classmates had started teasing her, but he was already on a video call with Freeman.

“Where are you now?” her dad laughed. “I thought you said you live in a trailer.”

“Not anymore,” Freeman declared. “I sold my pickup truck and moved to New York City. You don’t need a vehicle around here.”

“But why?” her dad asked.

“Less is more,” Freeman replied. “I have so many friends here I don’t even have to rent a room. I stay with a new friend every two weeks. My social life is richer than ever.”

By the end of the week, Rondi had had enough of her classmates’ teasing. Her missing teeth were cute, the outfits she didn’t wear looked fabulous, and the jokes she didn’t tell were the most hilarious ever.

She even tried telling one of Freeman’s jokes, but nobody listened.

“Have you talked to Freeman lately?” she asked her dad that evening.

He shook his head. “Freeman is gone,” he sighed. “I only received an email from him saying that less is more.”

“What does that mean?”

“He no longer lives in New York,” her dad explained. “He stopped staying with friends to avoid carrying too much emotional luggage. Now he travels all over the country, sleeping on trains and buses. He’s an urban camper or something.”

“But why didn’t he call you?” Rondi asked.

Her dad shrugged. “He carries nothing,” her dad said. “He wears rented suits and owns no bags or devices. He says he’s a completely free man now.”

And that was the last time they ever heard from Uncle Freeman.

BIG MOUTH

This story offers a new perspective on Joy’s decision to place her enormous piece of gum on Jason’s seat in the twelfth chapter of Louis Sachar’s Sideways Stories from Wayside School. Before we dive into the fan‑fiction, let’s take a look at Chapter 12, “Jason.”

CHAPTER 12. JASON — SUMMARY

Jason tells Mrs. Jewls that Joy is chewing gum in class, and the teacher prepares to write Joy’s name on the blackboard under the word DISCIPLINE. Jason volunteers to write it himself, and while he’s at the board, Joy places her huge glob of gum on his seat. When he returns to his desk and sits down, he becomes stuck to his chair. Mrs. Jewls tries several methods to free him (including throwing ice water on him to make the gum less sticky) but nothing works. Just as the three Erics are about to carry Jason and his chair to the bathroom to cut his pants off, Joy promises she can get him unstuck if Mrs. Jewls erases her name from the board. The teacher agrees, and Joy finally frees Jason by kissing him on the nose.

Everyone had had enough of Jason’s big mouth.

It all started on Todd’s birthday last year. He had invited the whole class, promising an unforgettable show. Todd’s parents had hired the most famous magician in town: Mr. Master and His Magical Moments.

Jason sat in the first row.

“I need a volunteer,” Mr. Master announced.

Dozens of hands shot up. Before Mr. Master could pick someone, Jason stood, marched onto the stage, and planted himself beside the magician. Mr. Master asked him to check whether the hat was empty.

Jason peered inside, then nearly burst into laughter.

“Guys!” he shouted. “The hat has a false bottom. Lean this way. You can see it better!”

Mr. Master froze.

“Jason, what are you doing?” Todd yelled.

“What do you think I’m doing?” Jason snapped. “I’m saving your show! Can’t you see the rabbit up his sleeve? It’s been trying to escape since the show started.”

Mr. Master packed up his props and stormed out. Todd’s mother begged him to stay, but he refused.

“Don’t call me again,” he said. “And I’ll make sure the other entertainers know what kind of hosts you are.”

With the show canceled, the children drifted home. Todd felt helpless and humiliated.

“You have such a big mouth, Jason,” he muttered.

“That’s not true,” Jason replied. “Joy’s mouth is bigger.”

Nobody invited Jason to another birthday party. And when he invited them to his own, everyone was suddenly very busy.

Mrs. Jewls knew nothing about Jason’s reputation. She always punished Todd for talking in class, but somehow she never heard Jason at all.

Until the day Jason couldn’t keep his mouth shut again.

Mrs. Jewls’s birthday was approaching, and Miss Mush decided to throw her a surprise party at lunch. Everyone agreed to keep it secret.

But when Mrs. Jewls arrived that morning, she felt a little hurt. No one had wished her a happy birthday. Jason was the last to leave the classroom for recess and noticed her sitting alone at her desk.

“May I help you, Mrs. Jewls?” he asked. “You look upset.”

Mrs. Jewls smiled. “I’m not upset,” she said. “Jason, do you know what day it is today?”

“Oh! You think we forgot your birthday!” Jason exclaimed. “Don’t worry! Miss Mush is throwing you a surprise party at lunchtime.”

When Miss Mush heard what Jason had done, she canceled the party on the spot and threw away her cake. The entire school was furious, but no one knew how to deal with Jason.

“I may have an idea,” Joy said. “But I’ll need a piece of gum from each of you.”

Everyone handed over their gum. Joy had the biggest mouth in class, and she stuffed every piece inside. At first her jaw ached and she could barely breathe, but soon she managed to chew steadily.

The bell rang. Everyone returned to their seats.

Jason noticed the huge bulge in Joy’s cheek.

“Mrs. Jewls,” he called out without raising his hand, “Joy is chewing gum in class!”

Mrs. Jewls reached for the chalk to write Joy’s name on the board, but Jason jumped up.

“I’ll write it for you!”

While he was at the board, Joy removed the giant glob of gum and placed it on his chair. When Jason returned, he sat down, and smiled at Joy.

Joy smiled back.