Grilled Cheese Please Pages 22-28

Page 22

Richie stared down at his lunch for a second. It was a grilled cheese sandwich.

He could almost feel the breath of the mob chanting, “Eat him! Eat him! Eat him!”

He looked to the right. He looked to the left. He looked straight ahead.

The hungry mob was still coming at him.

Richie looked down again at the grilled cheese sandwich. Amazingly enough, a face appeared saying, “Eat me…eat me…eat me!”

Page 23

Richie hesitated. You see, he had never eaten anything but french fries.

He raised the sandwich to his mouth just as the mob raised their forks and knives to cut him up.

Then, Richie closed his eyes and took a big bite of the sandwich.

Page 24

As soon as Richie swallowed the bite the mob vanished. The forks and knives dropped with a collective clang to the ground. Saltshakers fell. Ketchup bottles shattered. Dust swirled. The sound of plopping ketchup replaced the mob's screaming. Soon, french-fry people from behind trees, underneath containers, and submerged deep in Lake Ketchup started cheering for Richie.

He was a hero.

Page 25

One particularly large french fry offered Richie a crown and placed it on his head. They all cheered wildly for Richie and begged him to stay.

Amidst the cheering and celebration, Richie noticed his hands once again had fingers. He had two legs and could even wiggle his toes.

He also noticed the door he had first walked through was open again. As he peered through, he could see that it led straight outside and to the car in which his mother was waiting. Richie didn’t know what to do. He could stay amongst the french fries forever, where he’d be a hero.

Or, he could return home to his life as a boy.

Page 26

Richie looked again at his mom and her gleaming smile.

Meanwhile, back in the classroom, Mr. Encalab waited to see what Richie would do.

Page 27

Richie made a decision. He ran through the door and into his mom’s car. She gave him a hug.

“What a day,” Richie sighed.

“I’ll bet,” replied his mom. “What do you want for dinner tonight, Richie?”

Richie had always answered french fries, but this time he thought about it.

“I’m going to have…um...

“I’ll have…

“Grilled cheese, please!”

“That’s wonderful, Richie!” said his mom.

Page 28

Meanwhile, back in the classroom, Mr. Encalab smiled as he looked as his gradebook. He wrote an A + next to Richie's name.

Guess what Richie’s mom brought into class for his next birthday?

On page 23, the word "hesitated" is used. Which of the following is closest to its meaning?
1. agreed
2. believed
3. paused
4. tried
Why did Richie hesitate before taking a bite of the grilled cheese sandwich?
1. He was distracted by the mob.
2. He was scared of the mob.
3. He had never eaten a grilled cheese sandwich
4. The face on the sandwich scared him.
What did Richie taking a bite of the sandwich represent?
1. fear
2. new horizons
3. old habits
4. disappointment
What happened when Richie took a bite of the sandwich?
1. The mob ran away
2. The mob disappeared
3. The mob decided not to eat him.
4. The mob ate him.
On page 25, it reads "Richie didn't know what to do." What decision did he have to make?
1. Whether or not to be a french fry.
2. Whether or not to drop out of his new school.
3. Whether or not to stay in the french fry world.
4. Whether or not to eat foods other than french fries.
Why would Mr. Encalab wait to see what Richie was going to do?
1. He wanted to see if Richie would try new foods.
2. He wanted to see if Richie had learned a lesson.
3. He wanted to see what the french fries would offer him.
4. He wanted to see how he would react to seeing his mother.
Why do you think Richie decided against having french fires for his first dinner after the New Horizons school?
1. He was sick of french fries
2. He had learned that trying new foods is a good thing.
3. He was afraid of spending another day at the New Horizons school.
4. He didn't want to disappoint his mother.
What happened first?
1. The french fries wanted Richie to be their king.
2. Richie took a bite from the grilled cheese sandwich.
3. The mob disappeared.
4. Richie realized he had fingers and toes again.
How did Mr. Encalab feel after Richie decided to have a grilled cheese for dinner?
1. He didn't care.
2. He was disappointed.
3. He was surprised.
4. He was happy.
What did Richie's mother bring in for his next birthday?
1. french fries
2. ice-tray popsicles
3. grilled cheese sandwiches
4. cupcakes