儿童读物 神奇树屋 54 - Balto of the Blue Dawn.docVIP

PAGE PAGE 58 Balto of the Blue Dawn Magic Tree House #54 ? Chapter 1: Gold Dust, Stardust Jack?was reading on the front porch when Annie peeked out the door. “Bike ride later?” she asked. “Sure,” said Jack. “Let’s go now, before it gets too dark. Tell Mom and Dad.” Annie slipped into the house to tell their parents. Jack closed his book about whales and sharks and stood up and stretched. He was tired from swimming at the lake all afternoon, but he felt good. He loved summer. A bike ride in the warm evening air seemed like the perfect way to end the day. “Good to go,” said Annie, coming out of the house with their bike helmets. Jack and Annie ran down the porch steps and climbed on their bikes. They put on their helmets and pedaled out to the street. As they rode up their block, they waved to a neighbor mowing her lawn and to a couple walking two poodles. “We need a dog!” Annie called back to Jack. “What kind do you want?” he said. “Any kind. I like all dogs,” said Annie. “Big or small?” said Jack. “Well, both. I want a little dog and a big dog,” she said. “And maybe an in-between dog, too.” Jack laughed. “Yeah, I’d like a dog,” he said. “But probably just one.” “Whoa!” said Annie, putting on her brakes. “Did you see that?” “What?” said Jack, stopping beside her. “Above the woods—a bright flash of light,” she said. “You’re kidding,” he said. “Not?kidding! I had a feeling, even before we left the house!” said Annie. Without another word, she bumped her bicycle over the sidewalk curb and headed into the Frog Creek woods. Jack followed, his bike bouncing over roots and twigs in the shadows beneath the trees. Growing darker by the second, the woods were filled with the sounds of crickets. “Am I brilliant or what?” cried Annie. She had stopped next to the tallest oak. “Brilliant,” said Jack, laughing. The magic tree house was perched high in the oak. Their friend Teddy was grinning at them from the window. “It’s about time!” he called. “I was getting ready to summon a