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school.”
    Maeve couldn’t believe her ears. For a minute, she thought she was still daydreaming. But as she looked around at her friends’ smiling faces, she realized that this was actually happening. Inside she was really proud of the way her blanket project had turned out. But she’d never expected to be nominated for an award because of it.
    â€œWhoa, way to go, Maeve!” Avery called out, unable to contain her enthusiasm. On the other side of the room, Katani and Charlotte burst into applause. And behindCharlotte, Isabel gave Maeve an enthusiastic thumbs-up.
    â€œSpeech! Speech!” yelled Dillon.
    Maeve’s blush deepened. She wasn’t used to being singled out like this. The blanket project was something that she’d dreamed up one night, wondering what it would be like to be alone and cold, without best friends for consolation. When she grew up, Maeve was determined that she would always do something for homeless people. The thought of anyone, especially children, being homeless really bothered her.
    Whoever would have believed this? Maeve thought now, looking across the homeroom at Katani and Isabel. Talk about proving that teamwork can get the job done! Once Katani stopped worrying about Isabel being a fifth wheel, she threw in her incredible organizational talent, and the blanket project really got off the ground.
    â€œMs. Rodriguez,” Maeve said slowly, “I—thanks so much, that’s so great, but I wanted to say that I don’t think it should just be ME getting nominated. It took a whole group of us to get this to happen.” She glanced appreciatively around the room at her friends.
    Ms. Rodriguez nodded. “We talked about that, Maeve. The seventh-grade teachers really do want to acknowledge the whole group of you who gave your study hall second period to get this wonderful project off the ground. But Maeve, you’re the one who came up with the idea. You spearheaded the project, and your vision carried it through. You should be very proud,” she added, her dark eyes sparkling. “There’ll be a ceremony at the Community Center next Friday evening at seven o’clock. The winners will be announced then. So everyone, I hope you’ll all come out to support Maeve and our school. Good luck, Maeve!”
    Everyone clapped, and Maeve could feel her heart pounding.
    The bell rang, signaling that homeroom was over. Maeve’s fingers were trembling as she tried to get her laptop into her book bag. She couldn’t believe it. In all her years of school, Maeve had never been nominated for anything. She could sing and dance, but she’d never been honored for a school project before. Usually when her name got called, it meant that she’d probably forgotten her homework. This was GOOD news. Wait until her mom and dad heard about this—they’d be so proud of her. Maybe it would even pick her mother’s spirits up!
    â€œWay to go, Kaplan-Taylor! You blanket-making goddess,” Avery cried, thumping Maeve on her back as the girls congregated outside of homeroom.
    Maeve giggled as Avery’s friendly thwack almost knocked her into Katani. Avery wasn’t exactly a delicate flower, despite her diminutive stature.
    â€œThis calls for a celebration. Montoya’s, after school!” Katani said, putting her arm around Maeve and giving her a squeeze.
    Maeve had the vague feeling that she was supposed to be somewhere after school. “Just a sec,” she said, rummaging around in her book bag for her day planner. Darn—she’d left it at home, on her dresser. She couldn’t remember what, if anything, she had planned. Didn’t she have an appointment or lesson after school today?
    She couldn’t remember. If she had somewhere else to be, she’d figure it out later.
    â€œOkay,” she said happily, linking arms with Katani and Isabel. “Montoya’s it is!”
    Katani was right. This was