Preface

Sarah Delcid, age eight had been given a great gift. She was granted the power to swap traits with anyone as long as the two people agreed to the swap. She hadn't used the power yet but was excited. She didn't know what her first swap would be. She didn't have anything in mind when she entered her third-grade class today.

Sarah had always liked school. She used to find it very easy and fun. She particularly remembered kindergarten. Nothing seemed like learning back then. It was all fun and games. They even had stuffed animals in the room she could play with. No one seemed to mind when she sucked her thumb. There were lots of thumb-suckers back then. It was wonderful to go every day. Sometimes the boys were mean, but that didn't happen often, she was taller than most of the boys back then.

The third grade was a lot tougher than kindergarten. There didn't seem to be as much time to play. The students had to stay in their seats at all times. There was a lot to memorize, like the addition table and times tables. She would prefer to return to kindergarten.

During recess, Sarah looked specifically for a kindergartener to swap classes with. Someone who wanted to be in a later grade with the 'big' kids. It didn't take long for Sarah to find such a person. When recess was over, she was back in kindergarten. She couldn't be happier.

A short time later, Sarah hadn't remembered swapping at all. She was now simply an eight-year-old in kindergarten. No one seemed to mind or think that she was out of place. Being the oldest and biggest in kindergarten had its advantages, she could get what she wanted from the other kids. Most of the time she didn't have to say much, she was idolized in her new classroom.

Chapter 1.

Ms. Alaina Hinkley sat in her office. She was one of the school counselors at Valley Overlook School. Valley Overlook School is a typical elementary school covering grades pre-K to fifth. Valley Overlook Elementary is a pretty brick building with many windows. It is surrounded by tree-covered lawns to give an inviting look. There is a parking lot that is mostly used by the buses that bring the students to and fro. Only a small area of the lot is used for the occasional visiting parents. Although not officially part of the school grounds, a playground with slides, swings, monkey-bars, and other apparatuses abut the school. The school uses these public facilities as necessary for their outdoor activities.

Ms. Hinkley's office has a professional look but is also decorated with work from students of all grades to make her office look inviting to all. She also sprinkled framed photographs of herself with many students as well as teachers and staff. The playground can clearly be seen from the window in her office. She would prefer to keep that window open, but sometimes it is too noisy outside to do so.

Jasmine Delcid entered Ms. Hinkley's office. Ms. Hinkley requested that Jasmine come to her office and talk to her. There was a problem with her daughter, Sarah.

Jasmine was a mother of two. Sarah was eight and her brother Frankie was seventeen (nearing eighteen). It was obvious to everyone that Jasmine's family was about to expand. She was obviously pregnant.

“Have a seat,” Ms. Hinkley offered.

“Thank you.”

“Let me get straight to the point. Your daughter Sarah is acting out in class.”

“Acting out?”

“Yes, she is much bigger than all the other students. She pushes them around. She is acting like a queen and everyone else is there to do what she wants.”

“I don't understand. She wasn't like that.”

“I know. It seems to be a recent development. Now that I see what is happening, I think I know the reason.”

“What?”

“She was always the baby in the family. That is obviously going to change. She knows that. That's why she is acting out.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Yes, she is acting like the biggest baby in kindergarten. She throws tantrums, she pushes the other students around. She always has to be first.”

“What can be done?”

“Discipline. You have to keep her under control. Make sure she doesn't get away with things. Let her know her childish ways won't work.”

“I'll try.”

“Wonderful. Because other than this, we think she has great potential. She is the smartest in her class. In many ways, she is way ahead of the other students.”

“Do you think she should be advanced to a higher grade?”

“Not at this time. Despite her grades, she is too immature.”

“OK, thank you for telling me. I'll talk to her.”

Chapter 2.

Jasmine arrived on time for her meeting with Ms. Hinkley, but the meeting started late. There was an unscheduled fire drill, the school had to be emptied. But as soon as possible the meeting took place.

“Hello again Ms. Hinkley”

“Hello, Mrs. Delcid. I'm afraid we have run into another problem.”

“What?”

“It's the school uniform. Sarah won't wear it properly. She says she is old enough to dress as she likes.”

“I don't know what's gotten into her.”

“I understand how the kindergarten uniform looks ridiculous on her. No one expected there to be a girl in kindergarten who is six feet tall and over two hundred pounds. But the dress code is for everyone. It is clear, that she has to wear: a yellow polo with a Peter-pan collar, a blue plaid jumper, white socks, and black mary-janes. All the girls wear it. She can't choose to wear something else.”

“She told us, she can wear slacks and a button-down shirt like the boys.”

“That isn't at all true. The girls and the boys have separate uniforms for obvious reasons.”

“I see.”