Richard no ve las horas de mostrar sus ollies en la fiesta de cumpleaños de su amigo en el parque de patinetas, pero una nota de su maestra sobre una tarea incompleta amenaza con arruinar sus planes. ¿Podrá Richard lograr posponer la firma de la nota hasta después de la fiesta (y enfrentar sus consecuencias)? ¿O eso solo le traerá más problemas? Esta serie de libros infantiles sobre un variado grupo de alumnos de primaria, escritos por Karen English, autora galardonada con el premio Coretta Scott King, ofrecen una narración precisa, personajes y situaciones con los que identificarse, y mucha acción. Los lectores emergentes y los flamantes lectores independientes se reconocerán en estas graciosas historias de la escuela y la familia. "A welcome series addition that emphasizes familiarity instead of difference and treats its message with an affectionately light hand." —Kirkus "Lots of kids will recognize themselves in this book...and teachers and librarians will be happy to have a series to recommend that stars a realistic, likable boy of color." —Horn Book Magazine "This is a consistently fun read, complete with endearing characters, charming spot illustrations, and satisfying resolutions. Furthermore, it is a much needed story in which African American boys can see themselves visually and textually reflected in a positive light, completely free of the usual tropes of multicultural literature." —Booklist "The warm details of Richard's African-American family are tempered by the realism of life with a bunch of boisterous boys...English continues to earn her place as one of the most reliable early-grade authors, and readers who haven't discovered the Carver School kids will find this a satisfying entry point." —Bulletin Karen English is a Coretta Scott King Honor Award-winner and the author of It All Comes Down to This,  a Kirkus Prize Finalist, as well as the Nikki and Deja and The Carver Chronicles series. Her novels have been praised for their accessible writing, authentic characters, and satisfying storylines. She is a former elementary school teacher and lives in Los Angeles, California. Laura Freeman received her BFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York City and began her career illustrating for various editorial clients. Laura has illustrated many fine children’s books over the years, including Fancy Party Gowns: The Story of Fashion Designer Ann Cole Lowe , written by Deborah Blumenthal, and the Coretta Scott King Honor Book Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race , by Margot Lee Shetterly. Laura now lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and their two children. Find out more about Laura at lfreemanart.com. One A Note from Ms. Shelby-Ortiz Richard is watching the clock above the whiteboard. Four minutes until his weekend officially begins. Well, not technically, but in his mind. When the bell rings, that’s the signal for freedom. He only has to endure waiting for everyone at his table to straighten up and look “ready to be dismissed.” Those are Ms. Shelby-Ortiz’s words. She’s the teacher and she’s really nice and he likes her a lot.    When his table is called, he will have to hold himself back from jumping up and running out of there. First, he must get up and push his chair under the desk and stand behind it like a soldier. Mouth zipped. Then, he’ll have to walk in an “orderly fashion” to the line at the classroom door. He’ll have to make sure he keeps his lips together and doesn’t punch Ralph in the shoulder for fun. He’ll have to make sure he doesn’t make a fart sound with his hand in his armpit. He must try really hard not to pull one of Nikki’s fat braids. It’s truly difficult to be perfect.    He looks over at Gavin, his new best friend. Gavin can do all that being good stuff so easily. He doesn’t even look tempted to jump around or pull a braid or give a punch. He makes it look easy to be good.    The bell rings. It sounds like music to Richard’s ears. Ms. Shelby-Ortiz starts to look around. All the students are hurrying to put away their textbooks, load up their backpacks, check the floor around their desks, and then stand ramrod-straight behind their chairs. Richard is the best straight-as-a-ramrod stander at his table. He knows Ms. Shelby-Ortiz is going to compliment him. He can just hear the words: I really love the way Richard is standing. He looks ready to be dismissed. He waits for them. His table is the best, without a doubt. Ralph, at Table Four, is still picking up paper off the floor. Hah, hah.    Ms. Shelby-Ortiz begins her stroll. Walking slowly, checking desks, looking at the floor . . . “I like Table Three,” she says.    Hooray—that’s his table!    “Yes. They look all ready to line up.”     Come on, Ms. Shelby-Ortiz . . . More praise, please. Richard looks over at Gavin and smiles, but Gavin is busy looking straight ahead.    “Okay, Table Three. You may line up.”    Richard tries hard not to shoot out from behi