Gooney Bird and All Her Charms

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Book: Read Gooney Bird and All Her Charms for Free Online
Authors: Lois Lowry
throw all the brain ones away because we have new ones for the digestive system.”
    Tricia and Beanie carefully removed Napoleon’s glasses and earmuffs. Then Ben and Barry lifted the skeleton onto his rolling stand and prepared for his move. Gooney Bird held the door of the library open as the boys maneuvered the stand, with Napoleon, undressed and dangling, out of the library. In the doorway, Barry lifted the skeleton’s arm and waved goodbye with it to Mrs. Clancy.
    She grinned. “I find that humerus,” she said.

6
    â€œWhere to?” Ben asked as they made their way down the hall.
    â€œMultipurpose room,” Gooney Bird instructed. “Mr. Furillo’s waiting.”
    Tyrone and Felicia Ann remained in the library, at the computers, working on the next set of signs. Mrs. Pidgeon and the other second-graders all accompanied Napoleon on his journey past the classroom doors.
    â€œI have his digestion clothes,” Chelsea announced. She held up something neatly folded.
    Mr. Furillo held the door for them as they wheeled the stand inside. The large room was neatly swept as it was each day after lunch. The lunch ladies had gone home, and the kitchen area was tidy and clean. The trays were stacked.
    â€œI did what you asked, Gooney Bird,” the custodian told her. “Left one table out, and one chair. Over here in the corner.”
    Bruno, who had been sleeping, got up and ambled to the corner with them. When they got to the table and chair, Ben and Barry carefully unhooked Napoleon, lifted him from the stand, and sat him in the chair. It was easier this time than it had been in the library because they knew now just how his hip and knee joints worked.
    The lunch chair had no arms, but when they pushed it in under the table, Napoleon’s arms rested on the table and he looked quite comfortable. Gooney Bird went to the kitchen area and came back with a plate, fork, and napkin.
    Chelsea began to dress Napoleon in his digestion clothes. First she put on his plaid bow tie. It was already tied, and snapped neatly around the skeleton’s neck.
    â€œIt’s my dad’s,” Chelsea explained. “My dad said that if Napoleon was going out for dinner, he should be dressed up and wearing a tie.”
    The children nodded. They all agreed. And with the bow tie at the base of his neck, below his chin, Napoleon did look quite formal.
    â€œNow this,” Chelsea said, and she unfolded a large paper bib. Across the bottom of the bib were the words CAP’N BILL’S SEAFOOD SHACK and a cartoon picture of a lobster.
    â€œDon’t cover up his bow tie!” Tricia said.
    â€œI won’t.” Chelsea tied the bib onto Napoleon and arranged it carefully so that the bow tie appeared above it.
    Gooney Bird placed a plate on the table in front of Napoleon and gently arranged his hands on either side. She put a fork between his right thumb and fingers. Then she spread the paper napkin across his lap.
    â€œHe needs something to drink,” Ben said.
    â€œI’ve got it,” Mrs. Pidgeon said. She reached into her large purse and brought out a stemmed glass. She placed the glass on the table near Napoleon’s right hand.
    â€œI thought he should have a nice glass of wine with his dinner,” she explained.
    â€œEspecially since he’s wearing a bow tie. It’s a pretty fancy occasion for him.”
    â€œYeah, and he’s old enough for wine,” Malcolm said. “I think he’s probably like a hundred.”
    â€œMaybe a hundred and ten,” Nicholas said.
    They all stood back and admired the scene. Bruno went to the table and sniffed.
    â€œOh, no!” Keiko said in an alarmed voice.
    â€œWhat? There aren’t any crumbs because there’s no real food,” Beanie reassured her.
    â€œBut Napoleon is—” Keiko hesitated. “I don’t want to say it in front of Bruno,” she

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