TBH 2 Read online

  DEDICATION

  For my 2016–2017 BWL sixth-grade library students

  CONTENTS

  Cover

  Title Page

  Dedication

  OMGGGGGGG Spring Fair!!!

  Silver Girlzzzzzz

  Cecily, Mara

  Cecily, Mara

  Luvviiieeessss

  Summer Planssssssssssss

  Vishal, Prianka

  Silver Girls

  Vishal, Prianka

  Luvviiieeessss

  Vishal, Prianka

  Task Force

  Cecily, Gabrielle

  Prianka, Cecily, Gabrielle, Victoria

  Prianka, Cecily, Gabrielle, Victoria

  Prianka, Cecily, Gabrielle, Victoria

  Vishal, Prianka

  Luvviiieeessss

  Gabrielle, Victoria

  VNK BFF4E

  Brunch with Mamas

  Brunch with Mamas

  Vishal, Prianka

  Gabrielle, Victoria

  Gabrielle, Victoria

  Summmerrrrrrrrrr

  Vishal, Prianka

  Summmerrrrrrrrrr

  Prianka, Cecily

  Vishal, Prianka

  My Girlzzzzzzz

  Vishal, Prianka

  My Girlzzzzzzz

  True Confessions

  Cecily, Mara

  Arjun, Prianka

  Camping Here We Come

  ! ! ! !

  Camping OMG!!!!

  Arjun, Victoria

  BFFAEAEAEAEAEAEA

  My Girlzzzzzzz

  Squad

  Prianka, Gabrielle

  Vishal, Prianka

  Arjun, Victoria

  Squad

  Squad

  Cecily, Mara

  Vishal, Prianka

  Victoria, Prianka

  Unknown, Cecily

  Camila, Cecily

  Update

  Colin, Gabrielle

  CPG4EVA

  Prianka, Gabrielle

  I Am in Loveeeeeeeeee

  Whattttttttttttttttt

  Prianka, Gabrielle

  Arjun, Victoria

  Victoria, Prianka

  Help Me

  Squad

  Prianka, Gabrielle

  Squad

  Prianka, Cecily

  Vishal, Arjun

  Squadddddddd

  Prianka, Gabrielle

  Arjun, Victoria

  Prianka, Gabrielle

  Back 2 Texting Pleeeaaaassee

  CPG4EVA

  Best Day Everrrrrrr

  Mara, Cecily

  Dunk Tank Now

  Arjun, Victoria

  We Rock

  Glossary

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Books by Lisa Greenwald

  Back Ads

  Copyright

  About the Publisher

  OMGGGGGGG SPRING FAIR!!!

  PRIANKA

  Guyyyssssss, how insane is this spring fair going to be

  Soo pumped

  GABRIELLE

  Can’t believe it’s already march & we r talking about spring fair

  CECILY

  Can’t believe u r texting during assembly

  But I agree

  GABRIELLE

  Mr. C totes just looked @ u, Pri

  But what is this speaker even talking about

  Why do we need 2 know about raising chickens

  PRIANKA

  We r the peep squad

  GABRIELLE

  LOL

  SILVER GIRLZZZZZZ

  VICTORIA

  I c u guys texting

  During assembly

  W/o me

  Booooo

  LOL

  CECILY

  Hi LOL sorry bye

  GABRIELLE

  PRIANKA

  V, u r funny

  MEMO

  From: Mr. Carransey, Principal, Yorkville Middle School

  To: All Middle School Students and Parents

  Subject: Looking Inward; Promoting Unity

  Dear students:

  As you know, we had some difficulty with bullying earlier this semester. I believe we have all grown and learned a great deal about how to behave and conduct ourselves in our school community and the larger world.

  We would like to continue this work. Today in each of your English classes, you will be receiving a journal where you will write down some thoughts—about how you see yourselves as individuals and how you see yourselves fitting into the larger community. We ask that you share them with peers and teachers if you are comfortable.

  We will expand on this throughout the rest of the school year.

  Edward Carransey

  Principal

  Yorkville Middle School

  Be the change you want to see in the world. —Gandhi

  Cecily, Mara

  MARA

  Cece, r u so excited 4 spring fair

  I remember when my bro went & I was so jealous

  Can we run a booth 2gether

  Cecily, Mara

  CECILY

  Hi so sorry just saw these texts

  I am so excited . . . Not sure what 2 do bout booth but will let u know

  I gtg have din let’s hang soon xoxo

  MARA

  K def def xoxo

  LUVVIIIEEESSSS

  GABRIELLE

  Omg u guys

  Did u hear what happened

  PRIANKA

  Ummmmm

  CECILY

  IDK what u r talking about

  GABRIELLE

  Vivian Reese was caught kissing Jeremy Cavanaugh’s locker!

  CECILY

  Ewwwwww whyyyyyy

  PRIANKA

  Umm that’s weird

  GABRIELLE

  Yeah and she put a letter in too w/ kiss marks all over it

  Mr. Akiyama caught her doing it

  & TBH this may be TMI but she was so embarrassed she threw up right in the hallway

  & she ate the sloppy joes 4 lunch

  CECILY

  OMG def TMI

  PRIANKA

  LOL

  CECILY

  This is so awk

  I barely know Vivian

  Why do I need 2 know about this weirdness w/ Jeremy

  Or his locker LOL or throw up

  TMI TMI

  GABRIELLE

  LOL ok

  PRIANKA

  This is soooooooooooooo funny

  Love u guyzzzzzzz

  555-55

  YORKVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL TEXT/EMAIL ALERT: We have implemented a new text/email alert system. Keep an eye out for important updates (not during school hours, of course). #YorkvilleUnited

  From: Douglas Katz

  To: Gabrielle Katz

  Subject: Summer in Austin!

  Dear Gabs,

  I’m going to Austin for much of the summer, and I would love to take you with me. My company is building a huge apartment complex out there and it’s going to have a pool with a water slide!

  I’ve already discussed it with Mom and she says it’s okay. But there is one potential problem—I know you love summer in Yorkville with your friends . . . so think about it and get back to me.

  Love,

  Dad

  * * *

  First Journal Assignment

  Please take some time to collect your thoughts about this school-wide initiative.

  Before you write, ask yourself these questions:

  Why is this project important?

  What can I add to it?

  What does tolerance mean to me?

  Good luck!

  SUMMER PLANSSSSSSSSSSSS

  CECILY

  U guys, what is every1 doing this summer

  My mom keeps nagging me about deciding


  But IDK what 2 do

  PRIANKA

  IK! my mom 2

  She wants us 2 go 2 India & stay w/ my cousins all summer

  I wld be soooo bored w/o u guys

  And I always have to be on my best behavior there

  No thank u

  Help!

  GABRIELLE

  My dad just asked me if I want 2 go w/ him 2 Austin

  WTH

  CECILY

  Wait we can’t all b apart

  Who has a master plan

  GABRIELLE

  IDK

  PRIANKA

  Oooohh I have an idea!

  That camping thing ?

  Ya know the one in Maine that we learned about during outdoor ed

  Can we all go 2gether?

  CECILY

  OMG I realllllly want to do that

  I am always so jeal when I see peeps camping pics

  & bonus: my mom may be in2 that 2!!!!!

  PRIANKA

  Lets get all the deets

  CECILY

  K nighty night, loves

  PRIANKA

  ILYSM

  GABRIELLE

  XOXO

  Dear Journal:

  I think this is a cool idea. I like that everyone in the school is doing one specific assignment.

  Some kids are whining about it, saying we don’t need extra work, and what’s the point and all of that. But so far, I think it’s cool.

  Obviously, I already have a journal but I am happy to have another one. Don’t get jealous. Hee hee.

  Being tolerant means cooperating with everyone even if they aren’t your favorite or your best friend. Even if you don’t really like someone, you can be nice to them and respectful. And it also means trying to see things from everyone’s point of view.

  I think I can bring an open mind to the project.

  Love,

  Gabby

  Vishal, Prianka

  VISHAL

  R U going 2 India 4 the summer

  PRIANKA

  IDK why

  VISHAL

  My mom said u r going w/ ur fam

  She wants us to go 2

  PRIANKA

  Our moms are bffs now LOL

  But IDK if I want 2 go

  VISHAL

  Why

  PRIANKA

  Want 2 b w/ my friends

  Also so weird to stay in some1’s house for sooo long

  I am always on edge, like I need to be perf there

  VISHAL

  Oh

  U rlly luv emojis LOL

  PRIANKA

  Gtg supposed 2 b doing hw & my mom just caught me bye

  Yorkville Middle School’s Spring Fair is coming up on May 1!

  We need YOU to make it the best Spring Fair ever!

  Please come to the planning meeting next Friday after school to share your ideas.

  Go Yorkville!

  Mr. Akiyama, Vice Principal

  SILVER GIRLS

  VICTORIA

  Guys, r u going 2 the meeting 4 spring fair?

  CECILY

  Yesssssssss

  PRIANKA

  Same

  GABRIELLE

  Samey samey

  From: Gabrielle Katz

  To: Cecily Anderson, Prianka Basak

  Subject: SUMMER CAMPING TRIP WOOOO HOOOO

  Guys, let’s have a meeting with our moms to discuss the summer plans. It’ll be great. I think I’d rather spend the summer with you guys than with my dad. I see him every other night now and we have fun, but you guys are more fun. Don’t tell him. LOL.

  OK, let’s discuss!

  XOX ILYSM

  Gabs

  Vishal, Prianka

  VISHAL

  Yo

  PRIANKA

  Yo yo

  VISHAL

  Yo yo yo

  PRIANKA

  Ok

  What up

  VISHAL

  Actually it is kind of serious—

  u know my cousin Arjun who lives in fla

  He keeps getting bullied

  PRIANKA

  WDYM

  VISHAL

  Like bullied bc peeps r saying he is muslim

  He’s hindu btw

  But WTH - bullied bc of religion

  How messed up

  PRIANKA

  So awful

  Also feels so crazy bc our journal thing @ school & what we r working on & stuff

  Y’know

  VISHAL

  Yeah

  I just feel so bad

  PRIANKA

  Me 2

  I want 2 help

  LUVVIIIEEESSSS

  PRIANKA

  I need 2 talk 2 u guys

  Vishal is really upset for once

  Like actually taking something seriously

  CECILY

  GABRIELLE

  Sad again about no taco bar at lunch

  PRIANKA

  No 4 real

  His cousin is getting bullied in fla

  They think he is muslim (he’s hindu btw) but obv no1 should be bullied for religion n e way

  CECILY

  Or bullied 4 anything else duh

  GABRIELLE

  Yeah

  What can we do

  PRIANKA

  IDK

  They just assume his religion like based on what he looks like

  I just feel so bad

  GABRIELLE

  Me 2

  CECILY

  WE NEED TO COME UP WITH A TASK FORCE TO HELP WITH THIS

  IDK what we can do from so far away but we will think of something

  PRIANKA

  Brb

  Vishal, Prianka

  PRIANKA

  We need 2 help ur cousin

  VISHAL

  IK

  PRIANKA

  No 4 real

  Peeps can’t just get away w/ bullying some1 4 religion

  & not even knowing what religion some1 is

  Like not even taking time to find out & learn

  I am going 2 think of something we can do

  VISHAL

  Thank u

  VISHAL

  IDK y people r like this

  PRIANKA

  Me neither

  I’m so sorry

  TASK FORCE

  PRIANKA

  Have u guys thought of any ideas

  GABRIELLE

  It’s been like 5 min

  CECILY

  Still thinking

  PRIANKA

  U guys, I need ur help

  Cecily, Gabrielle

  GABRIELLE

  Cece, Pri is obv so upset

  She’s barely using emojis

  CECILY

  LOL but u r right

  GABRIELLE

  From: Prianka Basak

  To: Evelyn Brickfeld

  Subject: Guidance Appointment

  Dear Ms. Brickfeld:

  I wondered if I can set a time to come in and talk to you. I have a study hall seventh period. Let me know if you are ever free at that time. I can also bring my lunch to your office during lunch. (If you don’t mind.)

  Thank you,

  Prianka Basak

  Gabs, I am skipping study hall to go talk to Ms. Brickfeld. Also, can I borrow your red cardigan tomorrow? LOVE YOU BEYOND. xo Pri

  HALL PASS

  Prianka Basak has permission to leave study hall and speak to Ms. Brickfeld in the guidance office.

  Mr. Surrey

  Prianka, Cecily, Gabrielle, Victoria

  GABRIELLE

  Omg

  We can use our comps in English now 4 in-class essays

  I can totes iMessage u guys in class!!!!!!!!

  Any1 getting these texts

  Hi Journal:

  I really hope this initiative helps people. I already think I am tolerant and understanding. And I haven’t had any problems with bullying here or anywhere.

  But I am worried about Vishal’s cousin who is being bullied based on wha
t he looks like and what people think his religion is.

  Maybe if his school had a program like this, it wouldn’t have happened.

  I hope we can work together to stop this craziness.

  Peace on earth!

  Love & Hugs,

  Prianka Basak,

  the extraordinary

  Prianka, Cecily, Gabrielle, Victoria

  PRIANKA

  Gabs! I forgot 2 turn my fone off and ur iMessage came thru during the math test

  Was so loud

  Mrs. Silverstein was SO mad

  DO NOT DO THAT AGAIN

  GABRIELLE

  Sorrrryyyyyyy

  Using comp in study hall now

  Y r u texting in guidance?

  PRIANKA

  Waiting 2 go in

  GABRIELLE

  Put phone away

  U will get in trouble again

  PRIANKA

  Bye

  Prianka, Cecily, Gabrielle, Victoria

  VICTORIA

  Guys, just got these texts

  Snuck 2 use my phone when I went 2 the bathroom

  Bye

  555-55

  YORKVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL TEXT/EMAIL ALERT: Surprise! The PA is selling pizza in the lobby. Come by and grab a slice! #YorkvilleUnited #Pizza #Yum

  From: Evelyn Brickfeld

  To: Prianka Basak

  Subject: Our meeting today

  Dear Prianka,

  I am so glad you stopped in today. I’m sorry about what is happening to Vishal’s cousin and I’m glad you felt comfortable coming to talk to me about it. Please come back to talk anytime. I’m glad you feel that our journal project is helping you express your feelings.

  Ms. Brickfeld

  Yo, Gabs—did you hear today’s lunch is pasta and garlic bread? i know it’s your fave. —Colin

  Haha, no I hadn’t heard. How do you always know the lunch so early? It’s only first period. —Gabs

  Haha—i guess cuz i’m always hungry. Also this class is sooooo boring.

  I think it’s interesting—I like math. Back to paying attention. Bye