Jackson Jones and the Puddle of Thorns - Mary Quattlebaum - Hardcover

An Excerpt from Jackson Jones and the Puddle of Thorns April 10. Jackson-Jones-Born-into-This-World Day. I was moving from nine to almost grown. Double digits. The Big 1-0. The Man (that's me) is TEN. My best friend, Reuben, was impressed. He's nine and counting. One hundred and thirty-two days till he's ten. "What ya going to get for your birthday?" he asked. He sketched the star on Captain Nemo's helmet. I was sprawled on his bed. I shrugged, acting cool. Like saying, "Oh, is it my birthday?" Acting like I didn't know Mama was rattling my favorite Red Velvet cake into the oven. HOPEFULLY wrapping a new basketball.... "There's one more," said Mama. Mama held the envelope like a little white bird. Stuffed with money, I couldn't help thinking. "Ten years ago," said Mama, stroking the bird-money, "God gave me a present: my son, Jackson. Each year I grow prouder of him." I was cool, just taking it in. Thinking about slam-dunking my new b-ball. "I always wanted Jackson to have the kind of childhood I had," Mama continued. Wait a minute. Mama had no basketball in that country childhood. Her best friend lived seven miles away. Mama handed me the envelope. Her eyes were all misty-happy. "Jackson, I hope you enjoy this gift as much as I enjoyed mine as a girl." Forget slooowwly. I snatched the envelope. Clawed the flap. I drew out the card. Opened it. I couldn't believe what I saw.Quattlebaum, Mary is the author of 'Jackson Jones and the Puddle of Thorns - Mary Quattlebaum - Hardcover' with ISBN 9780385311656 and ISBN 0385311656.