Future Stars of America -- (nonfiction), sample page:
“Hey Angelo, you better look out!” Four-year-old Patrick Muccigrosso grabbed a pile of snow from the ground. He packed it into a tight ball and took aim at his older cousin. He missed.
With a gleeful shout, Patrick started to run. He knew that Angelo wouldn’t miss. The eleven-year-old all-star first baseman had an accurate throwing arm. Reaching down, Angelo formed a huge snowball of his own. Rearing back, he nailed his cousin in the leg. They both laughed loudly.
Angelo and Patrick were playing outside on a very cold February afternoon. They were spending the day with their family in Toms River, New Jersey, at the home of their aunt. Her backyard was a great place for kids because it was right on the edge of Barnegat Bay. There was always something fun to do near the water.
At the moment, nobody else was around. All the adults were inside, enjoying the warmth of the fireplace. Dressed in heavy coats and wool hats, the boys braved the frosty 28-degree weather. They had spent many winter afternoons here, climbing trees, sledding, and playing catch.
As Angelo started building a snowman, Patrick picked up a small, flat rock. “Angelo, look how far I can throw this rock!” When he was sure his cousin was watching, he tossed it into the bay. It skipped along the thin sheet of ice covering the half-frozen water.
“Wow, you’ve got a strong arm,” Angelo said supportively. “We could use you in our outfield.” He continued working on his snowman. Meanwhile, Patrick chucked another rock across the ice—and then another. Each time he threw a rock he moved closer to the water. Looking up, Angelo called out, “Hey, be careful Patrick. Don’t get too close to the edge.” When Angelo spoke those words, he never could have imagined what was about to happen…
With a gleeful shout, Patrick started to run. He knew that Angelo wouldn’t miss. The eleven-year-old all-star first baseman had an accurate throwing arm. Reaching down, Angelo formed a huge snowball of his own. Rearing back, he nailed his cousin in the leg. They both laughed loudly.
Angelo and Patrick were playing outside on a very cold February afternoon. They were spending the day with their family in Toms River, New Jersey, at the home of their aunt. Her backyard was a great place for kids because it was right on the edge of Barnegat Bay. There was always something fun to do near the water.
At the moment, nobody else was around. All the adults were inside, enjoying the warmth of the fireplace. Dressed in heavy coats and wool hats, the boys braved the frosty 28-degree weather. They had spent many winter afternoons here, climbing trees, sledding, and playing catch.
As Angelo started building a snowman, Patrick picked up a small, flat rock. “Angelo, look how far I can throw this rock!” When he was sure his cousin was watching, he tossed it into the bay. It skipped along the thin sheet of ice covering the half-frozen water.
“Wow, you’ve got a strong arm,” Angelo said supportively. “We could use you in our outfield.” He continued working on his snowman. Meanwhile, Patrick chucked another rock across the ice—and then another. Each time he threw a rock he moved closer to the water. Looking up, Angelo called out, “Hey, be careful Patrick. Don’t get too close to the edge.” When Angelo spoke those words, he never could have imagined what was about to happen…