This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Copyright © 2024 by Rajani LaRocca

  Illustrations © 2024 by Kat Fajardo

  Cover art color and interior shading by Pablo A. Castro

  Cover copyright © 2024 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.

  Kraft paper texture © klyaksun/Shutterstock

  Paw print © pingebat/Shutterstock

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  Algonquin Young Readers

  Workman Publishing

  Hachette Book Group, Inc.

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  New York, NY 10104

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  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

  ISBN 978-1-5235-2658-1 (hardcover)

  ISBN 978-1-5235-2659-8 (paperback)

  ISBN 978-1-5235-2660-4(ebook)

  For all the kids who want to make a difference

  Contents

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Meet the Kids in Mrs. Z's Class

  Chapter 1: A Very Valued Visitor

  Chapter 2: Around the Lake

  Chapter 3: The Plan Comes Together

  Chapter 4: A Presentation and a Problem

  Chapter 5: That Cat

  Chapter 6: Plans and More Plans

  Chapter 7: Honey’s Homecoming

  Chapter 8: Honey Doesn’t Want to Be Your Friend

  Chapter 9: Dinner and Dessert

  Chapter 10: Honey Feels at Home

  Chapter 11: Rohan Asks for Help

  Chapter 12: Rohan Murthy Has a New Plan

  About the Author

  About the Illustrator

  The Creators of The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class

  Preview of Book Three: Poppy Song Bakes a Way

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  Landmarks

  Cover

  Dedication

  Copyright

  Table of Contents

  Meet the Kids in Mrs. Z's Class

  Chapter One: A Very Valued Visitor

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  A Very Valued Visitor

  Rohan Murthy’s class was starting the school day outside.

  “I wonder what’s going on?” Rohan whispered to his best friend, Adam.

  “I don’t know, but it’s great to be out in the sun instead of stuck in our classroom,” Adam said.

  Rohan kicked at the rectangular patch of bare dirt. They were behind the school, not far from the playground and a small grove of trees.

  “So, third graders, this is a place where we’ll be doing some learning this fall and in the spring. What do you think will go here?” Mrs. Z asked.

  “It’s small for a soccer field,” Rohan said. “Maybe a playground?”

  “We already have that. How about a water park?” Ayana asked.

  “No one has a water park at school,” said Sebastian.

  “We could plant something,” Steven said.

  “Exactly. This is the space for our new Curiosity Academy garden,” Mrs. Z said. “We’ll need help from the whole school community. We’re going to plant bulbs this fall, sprout seeds indoors in the late winter, and start our outside garden in the spring. We’ll need ideas about what to plant, and lots of hands for digging and weeding.”

  “We could plant flowers,” Fia said.

  “And vegetables,” Emma said.

  “Maybe even a tree,” Rohan said. “Every new tree helps the planet.”

  “That would be pretty expensive,” Memo said.

  “We’ll also need help raising money for all our garden plans, so think about ideas for that, too,” Mrs. Z said.

  I’d love to help raise money for the garden, Rohan thought. We should make it the most awesome garden possible!

  Back inside, Rohan looked at the board.

  The Daily Scribble

  for Monday, September 16

  What are you looking forward to this week?

  Rohan smiled and wrote:

  I’m looking forward to thinking more about the school garden. But first, I’m excited about our Valued Visitor this morning!

  Rohan drew a picture of a woman with curly hair and glasses and her hands on her hips like a superhero. Then he glanced at his mom talking with Mrs. Z, and his chest filled with pride.

  Mrs. Z said, “I’m thrilled to introduce our first Valued Visitor of the year—Rohan’s mom, Shilpa Murthy. Please join me in giving her a very warm third-grade welcome!”

  Everyone in the class clapped for Mom. Rohan clapped the loudest. Even Honey, the class guinea pig, seemed excited, squeaking and hopping around in her cage.

  “Good morning, third graders!” Mom said. “I’m so thrilled to visit you. Today, I’m going to tell you about starting a new business. Please feel free to take notes or draw.”

  Rohan grinned as he turned the page in his notebook.

  “As a kid, I loved to draw. I doodled in the margins of my notebooks all the time.” As Mom talked, she drew a notebook filled with squiggles on the board.

  Rohan looked down at his own doodle-filled notebook. He loved that he shared this with his mom. Drawing was how they both got some of their best ideas.

  “Later, I went to art school and learned to do all kinds of art,” Mom continued, “but drawings and cartoons were always my favorites. After I finished school, I worked at a bunch of different jobs. Then one day, a friend saw one of my drawings and asked me to make one for her, and I realized I could combine the things I love most: making art and making people happy. Customers send me photographs, and I make special drawings of people they love.” She drew a portrait of a person smiling. “I needed to learn how to make art quickly, and how to find customers, but now I run a successful business.”

  Mom clasped her hands. “So with that in mind, I want to talk to you about starting your own businesses. First, you need an idea. Who has an idea for a business?”

  Lots of kids raised their hands. Mom called on Poppy.

  “I’d like to start a baking business,” Poppy said. Rohan noticed that her earrings looked like little cupcakes. So cool!

  “Great,” Mom said. She wrote “Idea: Baking Business” on the board and drew a little cupcake next to it. “In order to be successful, it’s important to plan out how your business will work. First, try to identify a need in the community. Why would people need Poppy’s business?” Mom asked. She wrote “Community Needs” on the board.

  “People always need fun treats for celebrations,” Emma said.

  “And everyone likes cupcakes and cookies,” Memo said.

  “Excellent,” Mom said. “Another thing to think about is how your business will be different from others that do similar things. For example, I draw cartoon images of people in my unique style.”

  “I like to combine interesting flavors when I bake,” Poppy said. “Like blueberry and rose, or green tea and white chocolate.”

  “And the decorations could be special, depending on what someone is celebrating,” Lucy said.

  “That would definitely make this business unique,” Mom said as she wrote on the board. “Now, third-grade friends, for the next section of our business plan: What kinds of things would Poppy need for her bakery?”

  “Flour,” said Olive.

  “Butter,” said Synclaire. “And sugar.”

  “Decorations,” said Fia.

  “And special flavorings,” Theo said.

  “How about boxes and signs?” asked Ayana.

  “Great ideas!” Mom wrote their suggestions on the board along with little doodles of each item. “Next, let’s think about finding customers. Where do you think Poppy might sell her treats?”

  “At a school bake sale,” Wyatt suggested.

  “Outside, in her neighborhood,” Thunder said.

  Rohan stuck his hand high in the air. “At the Peppermint Falls Autumn Festival!”

  The Autumn Festival was coming up in a couple of weeks on the banks of Lake Bluewater. There would be food—hot dogs and ice cream and cotton candy. There would be music—even a banjo band! And there would be lots of people enjoying themselves outside. It was one of Rohan’s favorite things about living in Peppermint Falls.

  “We’ve listed all these things in our business plan—our idea, what makes this idea unique, why it’s needed in the community, what items we would require, and where we might get customers,” Mom said. “The last thing to consider is why you want to create this business. Why would it make you happy, Poppy?” she asked.

  “I love baking,” Poppy said. “It’s my favorite thing to do.”

  Theo raised his hand. “And cookies and cupcakes make other people happy.”

  “You could use the money to buy toys,” said Lucy.

  “Or you could use the money to help someone else or a cause you believe in,” Carlota said.

  That’s it! Rohan’s mind whirled and swirled. Rohan cared about both the school community and the planet, and the school garden would be good for both. He thought and thought as he doodled on his paper.

  By the time Mom was finished and the whole class clapped again, Rohan had decided he wanted to start a business to help raise money for the school garden. He could get lots of customers at the Autumn Festival, and then keep the business going all year long.

  Rohan had a plan. Now he just needed an idea.

  Chapter 2

  Around the Lake

  That evening, Rohan waited in his driveway for the rest of his family. They were going to ride bikes around Lake Bluewater. It was taking his little sister, Kavya, forever to get her helmet on because she wanted to do it without any help.

  He spotted his friend Emma pushing a stroller down the sidewalk. “Hi, Emma!” he called.

  “Hi, Rohan,” said Emma with a smile. She was wearing a pink-and-purple T-shirt that said, science: it’s like magic, but real. And she wasn’t pushing around a little brother or sister—it was her little brown dog!

  “I never asked why you put your dog in a stroller,” Rohan said.

  “Bongo’s getting older,” Emma said. “So he can’t walk very far anymore. But he needs fresh air, so I take him out in the stroller.”

  “What if you’re busy?” Rohan asked. “You’re on a cheerleading team, right?”

  “Yeah, but Bongo needs to go out twice a day, every day, so if I don’t take him, my mom or dad has to do it,” Emma said. “My sisters are too little.”

  “Hmm.” An idea sparked in Rohan’s head.

  “Want to pet him?” Emma asked.

  Rohan looked at Bongo. He had big brown eyes, a tongue that stuck out a little, and a row of tiny, sharp teeth. “No thanks,” he said. “I’ll see you tomorrow at school.”

  “Okay. Bye, Rohan.” Emma waved as she continued down the sidewalk.

  Mom, Dad, and Kavya finally came out of the garage on their bikes. Rohan looked both ways and led his family across Bluebird Lane, followed by Dad, then Kavya, then Mom.

  The lake sparkled with late-afternoon sunlight, and the fresh breeze felt good on Rohan’s face as they sped along. Kavya said, “I want to be in front. But I’m scared of going too fast!”

  Rohan let his sister take the lead. “Go ahead, Kavya,” he said. “Don’t be scared. You don’t need to go faster than you want to.”

  Kavya squealed and her hair blew from under her helmet as she pedaled fast in front of him.

  “Great job, Kavya,” Dad called from behind him. “Make sure you watch out for walkers.”

  Rohan slowed so that he wouldn’t get in front of Kavya. “On your left,” he called as they passed an older man and woman walking a little dog with floppy ears and a wagging curly tail.

  Rohan’s idea sparked a little brighter.

  As he rode around the lake with his family, Rohan counted how many people were out walking their dogs: fifteen!

  He saw small dogs, medium-sized dogs, and large dogs. Some dogs walked behind their owners, stopping to sniff along the path. Some raced in front, pulling their people along. Everyone seemed to be having a great time.

  How hard can it be to walk a dog? Rohan thought.

  Rohan and his family finished their circuit of the lake and took a break to drink some water.

  “That was fun,” Kavya said. “I got to be leader the whole time!”

  “You did a great job,” Mom said.

  Dad laid a hand on Rohan’s shoulder. “Thanks for giving your sister the chance to lead today,” he whispered.

  “No problem,” Rohan whispered back with a smile. It was worth having time to think about his big idea.

  “Watch out!” someone called.

  The biggest dog Rohan had ever seen was barreling toward them! It was pulling a teenage girl behind it. The dog had fluffy brown-and-white fur and a huge brown nose. Drool dripped from its open mouth, which was filled with huge, pointy teeth. Rohan froze.

  “Tiny! Stop it!” called the girl. She pulled on the dog’s leash and finally got the dog to stop. “Sit!” she said.

  The dog sat right in front of Kavya.

  “Oh, can I pet the doggy?” Kavya asked.

  “Sure,” said the girl. “I’m Amanda, and this is Tiny. He’s very friendly. He’s just a puppy, so he sometimes wants to run too fast.”

  That enormous dog was a puppy? Rohan couldn’t imagine how big it would be when it was full-grown.

  “Let him sniff your hand, like this,” Mom said, showing Kavya what to do.

  Kavya reached out, and Tiny sniffed her hand. “Oh! Tiny kissed me,” she said, giggling. She petted the dog’s enormous head. “Good doggy.”

  “Do you have to walk Tiny every day?” Rohan asked while Mom and Dad petted the dog, too.

  “Three or four times a day,” said Amanda. She laughed. “He has a lot of energy.”

  “I’ll bet,” Dad said. “Want to pet him, Rohan?”

  Rohan rubbed the base of his thumb. “You sure it’s safe?” he asked Amanda.

  “Definitely,” she said.

  Rohan held out his hand for the dog to sniff. He closed his eyes as the huge mouth came close.

  The dog touched Rohan’s hand with its wet nose, and Rohan opened an eye. He reached out his finger and brushed Tiny’s head before drawing his hand back again.

  That wasn’t that hard.

 

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