1、Program:CR 14Component:LRGR6 U1W1 OPDFVendor:Learning MediaGrades:6Call Me Call Me MaxMaxRealistic FictionPAIREDREADFashion Swapby Vivienne Josephillustrated by Scott AngleCall Me Max CV_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 3CV_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 314/02/12 10:24 AM14/02/12 10:24 AMSTRATEGI
2、ES&SKILLSComprehensionStrategy:VisualizeSkill:Compare and ContrastVocabulary StrategySentence CluesVocabularyconsolation,glimmer,heinous,indispensable,perception,phobic,sarcastic,thresholdWord Count:3,161Program:CR 14Component:LRGR6 U1W1 OPDFVendor:Learning MediaGrades:6ACopyright The McGraw-Hill Co
3、mpanies,Inc.All rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means,or stored in a database or retrieval system,without the prior written consent of The McGraw-Hill Companies,Inc.,including,but not limited to,network storage or transmission,or bro
4、adcast for distance learning.Send all inquiries to:McGraw-Hill EducationTwo Penn PlazaNew York,New York 10121ISBN:978-0-02-118639-6MHID:0-02-118639-1Printed in the United States.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 DOC 15 14 13 12 11 10IFCIBC_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 2IFCIBC_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 21
5、4/02/12 10:25 AM14/02/12 10:25 AMCall Me MaxPAIREDREAD Chapter 1New Beginnings .2Chapter 2An Act of Kindness.5Chapter 3A New Nickname .8Chapter 4A Chance to Shine.12Respond to Reading.16 Fashion Swap .17Focus on Literary Elements .20Essential QuestionHow do new experiences offer new perspectives?by
6、Vivienne Josephillustrated by Scott AngleCall Me MaxProgram:CR 14Component:LRGR6 U1W1 OPDFVendor:Learning MediaLevel:60001-009_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 1001-009_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 114/02/12 10:27 AM14/02/12 10:27 AMProgram:CR 14Component:LRGR6 U1W1 OPDFVendor:Learning MediaLeve
7、l:60I opened my eyes.It was my first day at my new middle school,the day Id looked forward to until my whole life changed,that is.I pulled the covers over my head and remembered the day Mom and Dad told me we were moving to another town.The twins,Eduardo and Rafa,had grins stretched across their fac
8、es.Even my baby sister,Aida,seemed thrilled by the news.I felt happy for Dad,who had found a new job,and for Mom,who would be closer to her family,but I felt sad for myself.All I could think of was my friends,Scott and Chen,at Jefferson Regional,and how I wouldnt be seeing them anymore.“Max,”Mom cal
9、led,“breakfast is ready.”I pulled on my new jeans and the freshly ironed shirt that Mom had carefully laid out at the end of my bed,tugged on socks and sneakers,and slowly dragged my feet down to the kitchen.“Oh,my!”Mom said.“You look great.”I attempted to smile back as I sat at the table and looked
10、 down at my favorite meal.How could I tell her that I felt terrible,when all she and Dad wanted was for me to be happy?Mom put her hand on my shoulder.“I know you feel nervous,Max.”Chapter 1New BeginningsNew Beginnings2001-009_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 2001-009_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.ind
11、d 214/02/12 10:27 AM14/02/12 10:27 AMI poured syrup on the monster stack of pancakes.Nervous?Was that why my stomach felt as if it were tied in knots and filled with jumping beans?“Were starting a new life here.Your dad is really excited about his new challenges,and therell be many more opportunitie
12、s for you and your brothers and sister.”I knew Mom was trying to encourage me,but it didnt help much.She walked out with me,and as I opened the gate,she called,“Te quiero.”I looked around to make sure there were no other kids on the sidewalk.“Love you,too,Mom.”The bus was just pulling away,and I had
13、 to run to catch it.Luckily,the driver saw me and waited.Out of breath,I threw myself down on the closest seat and avoided looking at anyone else.At each stop,more kids climbed aboard,and the noise swelled.Program:CR 14Component:LRGR6 U1W1 OPDFVendor:Learning MediaLevel:603001-009_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60
14、_O_118639.indd 3001-009_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 314/02/12 10:27 AM14/02/12 10:27 AMProgram:CR 14Component:LRGR6 U1W1 OPDFVendor:Learning MediaLevel:60No one took notice of me as I joined in the rush off the bus and then reluctantly trudged through the gates of Cedar Ridge Middle School with
15、 all the other students.I didnt mind being invisible because I was thinking about Scott and Chen.I got swept along with the crowd into the lobby,a huge area lined with glass cabinets filled with cups and trophies.The crowd and the size of the lobby made me feel about the size of a hamster.The homero
16、om lists showed me my room number.Just as I was heading off,my phone vibrated.It was a text from Scott:“W8 til they know wt u cn do.”“Maybe,”I thought.“But what does Scott know about Cedar Ridge?Im just the new kid here,a nobody.”As I reread the text,I started walking faster and immediately collided
17、 with someone.The guy tipped sideways and slammed against the wall.I started to apologize,but his expression and the way he and his friends were glaring at me stopped me in my tracks.“Look where youre going,klutz!”he growled.I knew immediately that Id made a bad mistake.4001-009_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O
18、_118639.indd 4001-009_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 414/02/12 10:27 AM14/02/12 10:27 AMProgram:CR 14Component:LRGR6 U1W1 OPDFVendor:Learning MediaLevel:60 I made my way into the buzzing homeroom and settled down at an empty desk at the back,making myself as small as possible.The teacher,Mrs.Mogil
19、ner,would soon be calling out names,and I braced myself for the worst.That was when I noticed that the guy sitting opposite me was the guy Id crashed into!When his name,Luke Preston,was called,he narrowed his eyes menacingly at me as if Id committed some heinous crime.“It wasnt deliberate,it was an
20、accident,”I wanted to explain.But I remained silent and avoided his gaze.The moment Id been dreading arrived when Mrs.Mogilner called,“Maximiliano Perez?”Id been teased about my name forever,but kids at my old school got so used to calling me Max,they forgot my full name.I was sure the teasing would
21、 start up again now.My face burned as I replied,“Here.”Mrs.Mogilner smiled.“Youre new,arent you,Maximiliano?Welcome to Cedar Ridge.”I blurted out,“Call me Max,please.”Mrs.Mogilner nodded.“Okay,thats fine,Max.”I slumped back and waited for the usual reaction,but I was wrong.Apart from Luke,who mockin
22、gly repeated my name under his breath,the kids ignored me.“Greg OConnor?”Mrs.Mogilner called.The boy next to me jolted upright in his chair.“Youll buddy Max today.Show him around,please.”Greg nodded,but he rolled his eyes and grimaced at Luke and the others,who were grinning at him like crazy.Chapte
23、r 2An Act of Kindness5001-009_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 5001-009_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 514/02/12 10:27 AM14/02/12 10:27 AMProgram:CR 14Component:LRGR6 U1W1 OPDFVendor:Learning MediaLevel:60Heading out to our first class,Luke sidled up to me.“Call me Max,”he said in a sarcastic tone
24、.Laughing,he turned to his friends and said,“Have you met Maximiliano?”Some of them laughed,but most seemed uncomfortable with Lukes teasing,and I was able to escape pretty easily.By the time lunch period arrived,I was tired of asking teachers to call me Max.Sometimes kids snickered at my name,but o
25、ther times they were too busy talking to their friends to notice.When we left the final morning class,Greg escorted me to the cafeteria,then ditched me and headed off to join up with his friends.Although I was glad when he left,I wasnt sure if Id have problems over lunch.I pushed the door to the caf
26、eteria open and stared inside,hardly believing my eyes.This cafeteria was so much better than the one at Jefferson Regional.For one thing,it was much more spacious,with the tables further apart.I found a place at an empty table right by the window.Id just taken a bite out of one of Moms great sandwi
27、ches when I noticed a girl who was heading back from the line suddenly trip and fall flat on the floor.Ignoring the laughter,I jumped up and hurried over to help her.I held her books and school bag while she retrieved her lunch.“Are you okay?”I asked.Flustered and red-faced,she ducked her head,whisp
28、ering“Thanks,”and fled to a table full of girls who were giving her sympathetic looks.I recognized a couple of her friends from my classes,but I couldnt bring myself to join them.6001-009_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 6001-009_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 614/02/12 10:27 AM14/02/12 10:27 AMPr
29、ogram:CR 14Component:LRGR6 U1W1 OPDFVendor:Learning MediaLevel:60I spent the rest of the lunch break alone.No one came to sit at my table,which suited me fineI just wanted to keep my head down until everyone forgot about my name.After lunch,as I paced outside the cafeteria waiting for Greg,the girl
30、Id helped in the cafeteria and one of her friends approached me.The girl whod fallen introduced herself,saying,“My names Kayleen.I just wanted to say thanks again.”“It was nothing,”I mumbled.“Im Melinda,”the other girl said.“Whats your name?”I answered quickly,“Just call me Max.”As we joined a thron
31、g of students heading for science class,Melinda asked if I was interested in sports.“Were football nuts,”she said,grinning.“And baseball fans,”Kayleen said.I told them that I was into swimming,but I didnt explain further.I didnt want to sound like I was bragging.After science,they disappeared to ano
32、ther class,and the rest of the afternoon was just a blur of lessons.Everything felt new and confusing,and I was exhausted by the time I arrived home.The twins were misbehaving,Mom looked tired,and when Dad got home he looked completely stressed out.I wasnt looking forward to the next day,but I didnt
33、 say anything to Mom and Dad.7001-009_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 7001-009_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 714/02/12 10:27 AM14/02/12 10:27 AMProgram:CR 14Component:LRGR6 U1W1 OPDFVendor:Learning MediaLevel:60In class the following day,Luke called out,“Hi,Maximiliano,”and as I went to my desk,
34、a couple of his friends joined in.During lunch period,Melinda and Kayleen caught up with me in the hallway.“Did you see the bulletin board?”Kayleen asked.When I shook my head,she pointed to a notice that said,“Tryouts for the boys and girls swim teams.”I read on,getting more excited.I was thinking t
35、hat this was my chance to prove myself when Lukes voice boomed out behind me,“Out of the way,Maximiliano.”As I quickly moved away from the board,I heard Kayleen whisper,“Ignore him.”Chapter 3A New Nickname8001-009_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 8001-009_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 814/02/12 1
36、0:27 AM14/02/12 10:27 AMProgram:CR 14Component:LRGR6 U1W1 OPDFVendor:Learning MediaLevel:60One of Lukes friends slapped him on the back.“Theres no way we can lose this season as long as we have you on the team.”I leaned back against the wall,phobic thoughts running through my head.I was thinking,“I
37、wont make the team.Its no use,Ill never fit in.”I realized that Kayleen was looking at me,frowning.“Dont give up just because of Luke,”she said.Melinda agreed,saying that I should take no notice of Luke and just go for it.I said Id think about it.Over the next few days,Luke and his friends persisted
38、 in calling me Maximiliano whenever they could.But Greg and some of the other kids had started calling me Max,which is why I decided to go to the tryouts.I felt there was still a glimmer of hope that maybe I could fit in.The day before the tryouts,when I told Kayleen and Melinda that Id decided to g
39、ive it a shot,they both smiled and clapped their hands.Melinda wished me luck,and Kayleen chipped in,saying,“Just forget Luke and focus on your swimming.”She seemed to have complete faith in me,even though shed never seen me swim!I promised to try my best,but deep down I was feeling far from confide
40、nt.When Mr.Jenkins,the swim coach,arrived at the pool for tryouts,he divided us up into teams.Pressing buttons on his stopwatch,he explained that we would do some timed lengths,and then the fastest kids would race against each other.9001-009_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 9001-009_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L
41、60_O_118639.indd 914/02/12 10:27 AM14/02/12 10:27 AMProgram:CR 14Component:LRGR6 U1W1 OPDFVendor:Learning MediaLevel:60Lukes team swam first,and he was the fastest.“Excellent,Luke,”Mr.Jenkins called.“Youve just beaten your personal best.I feel like were on the threshold of a great victory here.”Then
42、 he pointed to my team and instructed us to get into the pool.Getting back into the water felt so good,and soon I was powering my body forward with each stroke.When I lifted my head at the finish,I was so happy that I wanted to shout.Mr.Jenkins was looking intently at his clipboard.“Okay,now the six
43、 boys with the fastest times are going to race each other.”Slowly,he announced the six names.Inevitably,Lukes was first.Mr.Jenkins paused as he reached the last name.“Maximiliano?”he said.Before I could answer,he added,“Mind if I call you Max?”“Sure,thats fine,”I said.As I jumped back into the pool,
44、I thought,“Mind?Id swim a million lengths for that!”When I turned and kicked at the end of the first length,I could see that Luke was right alongside me.Then,with powerful,fast overarm strokes,he took the lead.I managed to catch up with him briefly,but then he pulled ahead again and beat me by five
45、seconds.I had to admit he was fast.I didnt really mind losing to him because it had been such a good race.10010-016_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 10010-016_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 1014/02/12 10:29 AM14/02/12 10:29 AMProgram:CR 14Component:LRGR6 U1W1 OPDFVendor:Learning MediaLevel:60Mr.Je
46、nkins looked at his stopwatch and smiled at me.“Well,well.I think youre a shoo-in,Max.”A voice from behind said,“Yeah,not bad.”It was Luke,and he was actually smiling.Mr.Jenkins winked at us.“Well,boys,I think were in great shape this year.Youve surpassed my expectations.”He went off whistling.I was
47、 heading toward the changing rooms when Luke called out,“Hey,dude.”I turned back.“I guess you need a new name.How about Fish?”I wanted to say,just call me Max,but I figured a nickname like Fish was an improvement.Maybe Luke would change his opinion of me now that he knew we had something in common.H
48、e really was a great swimmer and I missed having friends who liked to swim as much as I did.11010-016_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 11010-016_CR14_LR_G6_U1W1L60_O_118639.indd 1114/02/12 10:29 AM14/02/12 10:29 AMProgram:CR 14Component:LRGR6 U1W1 OPDFVendor:Learning MediaLevel:60The following day,m
49、y glimmer of hope was snuffed out when I saw the notice on the bulletin board.Swim practice was after school.At my old school,it was in the morning.After school,I had to help with the twins so Mom could go to work.I apologized to Mr.Jenkins and explained that I couldnt make the practice schedule.Mr.
50、Jenkins tapped his clipboard with his pen.His disappointment was clear.He sighed and said that it was a shame,but he understood.Then he said,“If its any consolation,you can be an alternate.”It certainly wasnt what Id been hoping for,but it was better than nothing.There was still a possibility that I
