The Stars of Summer Read Online Free PDF Page B

like but can’t fit in during the school year. And for me, that’s cooking!” She slumped back against the side of the bed. She expected her parents and Charissa to be all gung ho about the camp plan, but now Sandy, too? He was supposed to help her think of a way
out
of this mess.
    â€œWell, my camp isn’t gonna be so amazing, either,” Sandy said.
    â€œBut you really like karate!”
    â€œI like the karate classes I take
here
,” he explained. “But I also really like my computer. And there aren’t going to be any computers for the kids at camp! We’re supposed to ‘divorce ourselves from technology’ or something—that’s what the brochure said.” He flung another pair of socks at the duffel bag—too hard this time, and they bounced off the wall behind it. “My camp is in the middle of the woods in New Hampshire. My mom says it’ll be good for me—she thinks I’m addicted to my computer. But what’s really unfair is that I
know
the adults are allowed to go online, ’cause my mom’s been e-mailing with the camp director!”
    â€œUgh, that is unfair,” Gladys said. “I hate it when there are different rules for adults and kids.”
    â€œTell me about it.” Sandy threw a third sock ball, but this time he didn’t even seem to be aiming for the duffel; Gladys heard a crinkle as it ricocheted off the corner of his Nikola Tesla poster. “I mean, if you go to Camp Bentley, at least you’ll be able to cook at night and on the weekends,” he said. “But I won’t be able to use screens at all.”
    This was true, and suddenly Gladys felt bad for discounting Sandy’s plan. Really, using camp as a cover for sneaking into the city was a pretty good idea.
    â€œI guess if you can handle a whole summer at a camp without computers, then I can
try
going to Camp Bentley,” Gladys said. “I mean, we may not be together, but at least we’ll both be miserable at the same time!”
    A small smile crossed Sandy’s face. “I don’t plan to be miserable the
whole
time,” he said. “I think the karate parts will still be fun.”
    â€œWell, you’re never going to find out if you don’t finish packing.” Gladys stood up. “C’mon, I’ll help.” She started on a circuit of the room, collecting stray balled-up socks and other clothes. The underwear, though, she left for Sandy.
    In the end, they stuffed his duffel so full that Gladys had to sit on it while Sandy closed the zipper. Then they made their way down to the Rabbit Room, where Sandy let tiny black-and-white Edward and fat brown Dennis out of their hutch to hop around.
    â€œWill you visit them while I’m away?” he asked Gladys. “I’m sure my mom will let you in whenever you want.”
    â€œSure,” Gladys said. She loved playing with the rabbits—though between camp, cooking, and reviewing restaurants, her summer schedule was starting to look very full.
    â€œAnd, hey, if any of the other restaurants you review have rabbit on the menu . . .” Sandy started.
    â€œDon’t worry,” Gladys said. “I won’t order it.”
    â€œOr, well . . . just don’t tell me if you do, okay?”
    Gladys grinned. “Okay.”
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    That evening, back at her house, Gladys surprised her parents by announcing that she was excited to give Camp Bentley a try.
    â€œWell, good for you, Gladdy,” her dad said as he stuck a cup of take-out wonton soup in the microwave. Gladys had spent so long helping Sandy pack that she hadn’t had time to cook dinner. Her parents had recently given her permission to cook for them twice a week, though she wasn’t supposed to light the stove burners unless one of her parents was with her.
    â€œI really thought you’d fight us on this one,” her dad