Don't Tap-Dance on Your Teacher Read Online Free PDF

Lady.
    There are about a kazillion books and DVDs and cool things in the library. I do not know how she has time to keep track of them all.
    I think maybe she never goes home.
    A few minutes later, Ms. Bunelli cameto our class. She was rolling a tall cart with a TV set on it.
    â€œClass,” said Ms. Diz. “Ms. Bunelli has brought us a DVD of an amazing tap dancer. I think you’re going to enjoy this!”
    Ms. Bunelli pushed some buttons on the DVD player.
    And suddenly, there on the TV, was a man tap-dancing!
    Rat-tat-tat BOUNCE!
    Rat-tat-tat BOUNCE!
    â€œHey, that guy is a guy!” Wyatt said.
    The tapping man spun and jumped and tapped so fast it made my eyes and my ears dizzy.
    Rat-tat-TAT!
    He whirled faster and faster—and got louder and louder.
    RATATATTATATATTATATAT!
    I never dreamed feet could make so much noise!
    â€œThose tap shoes are the best,” I whispered to Emma. “If I had those, I would tap twenty-four hours a day!”
    â€œYou should take tap dance with me,” Emma whispered back. “We’d have so much fun together!”
    My very own noisy shoes?
    â€œEmma,” I said, “you are a genius.”

6
The King of Tap
    It took a while to convince Mom and Dad I really wanted to take tap dance lessons.
    When I brought it up at dinner that night, they both made sighing noises.
    â€œRemember when you wanted to take pottery?” Mom asked.
    â€œOr karate?” Dad said.
    â€œOr ice skating?” Mom added.
    â€œI didn’t know it would be so cold at the skating rink,” I said.
    â€œRoscoe,” Dad said. “You promised you would stick to those things. And you quit every time.”
    â€œThis time it’ll be different, Dad,” I said. “I promise!”
    â€œCan I take tap dancing with Roscoe?” my little sister, Hazel, asked. “They have pretend tap shoes at Toys Or Else.”
    â€œWe’ll see,” said my mom.
    Which is Parent for “Don’t Count on It.”
    Max, my older brother, was balancing a lima bean on his nose.
    â€œRoscoe, are you sure about tap dance?” he asked.
    â€œTotally sure,” I said. “Why?”
    â€œGuys might tease you about it,” Max said.
    â€œTease him?” said Mom. “Why?”
    â€œBecause dancing is kind of a girl thing to do is all,” Max said. “Gee, Mom. Do you live in a cave or what?”
    â€œYour Uncle Joe took ballet for a year while he was in college,” Dad said. “To help him with his football footwork.”
    Max made a no-way face. “Really? Like with a frilly tutu?”
    â€œI’m fairly certain there weren’t any tutus involved,” Dad said.
    â€œBoys do so tap-dance,” I said. “Ms. Diz even showed us a DVD of a tap guy. There will probably be lots of boys in my class.”
    Max looked up at the ceiling and groaned.
    Which is Brother for “You Are Such a Doofus.”
    â€œPlease can I do this?” I begged myparents. “I absolutely promise I won’t quit this time.”
    Mom looked at Dad. Dad looked at Mom.

    My parents have entire conversations without ever opening their mouths.
    â€œI suppose you could give it a try,” Mom said finally. “But I want you to stick with it, no matter what.”
    â€œI will!” I cried. “I will for sure stick!”
    â€œCan I have Roscoe’s tap shoes when he quits?” Hazel asked.
    â€œWe’ll see,” said Mom.
    â€œDon’t hold your breath, Hazel,” I said. “Because I am going to tap dance FOREVER!”
    Â 
    That weekend, Mom found some tap shoes at a yard sale.
    They weren’t all shiny and new like Emma’s.
    But they were just as loud.
    I practiced tapping on the kitchenfloor. (Great taps!)
    The living room carpet. (Crummy taps.)
    My bed. (No taps. But terrific bounces.)
    And the bathtub.
    You get LOUD taps out of a bathtub, let me tell you.
    I decided it was my