I Got You Babe


 Contents
 
 Cover
 Title Page
 Digital Rights
 Copyright Page
 Dedication
 Chapter One
 Chapter Two
 Chapter Three
 Chapter Four
 Chapter Five
 Chapter Six
 Chapter Seven
 Chapter Eight
 Chapter Nine
 Chapter Ten
 Chapter Eleven
 Chapter Twelve
 Chapter Thirteen
 Chapter Fourteen
 Chapter Fifteen
 Acknowledgments
 About the Author
 
 
 
 Landmarks
 
 Cover
 Title Page
 Digital Rights Management
 Copyright Page
 Dedication
 Start of Content
 Acknowledgments
 About the Author
 
 
 
 Page List
 
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 I Got You Babe
 Paul Coccia
 
 
 
 Orca Book Publishers is proud of the hard work our authors do and of the important stories they create. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it or did not check it out from a library provider, then the author has not received royalties for this book. The ebook you are reading is licensed for single use only and may not be copied, printed, resold or given away. If you are interested in using this book in a classroom setting, we have digital subscriptions with multi user, simultaneous access to our books, or classroom licenses available for purchase. For more information, please contact [email protected].
 ivaluecanadianstories.ca
 
 
 Copyright © Paul Coccia 2023
 Published in Canada and the United States in 2023 by Orca Book Publishers.
 orcabook.com
 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without permission in writing from the publisher.
 Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
 Title: I got you babe / Paul Coccia.
 Names: Coccia, Paul, author.
 Series: Orca currents.
 Description: Series statement: Orca currents
 Identifiers: Canadiana (print) 20220185239 | Canadiana (ebook) 2022018531X | ISBN 9781459834705 (softcover) | ISBN 9781459834712 (PDF) | ISBN 9781459834729 (EPUB)
 classification: LCC PS8605.O243 I2 2023 | DDC jC813/.6—dc23
 Library of Congress Control Number: 2022934493
 Summary: In this high-interest accessible novel for middle readers, Mac wants to do a duet with Amy for the school fun fair.
 Orca Book Publishers is committed to reducing the consumption of nonrenewable resources in the production of our books. We make every effort to use materials that support a sustainable future.
 Orca Book Publishers gratefully acknowledges the support for its publishing programs provided by the following agencies: the Government of Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts and the Province of British Columbia through the BC Arts Council and the Book Publishing Tax Credit.
 Edited by Tanya Trafford
 Design by Ella Collier
 Cover artwork by Getty Images/Massonstock
 Author photo by Shirley Coccia
 
 
 To Matthew and Amanda, for a Sonny and Cher talent show routine that is the stuff of legend, and to Vesna, for her inspiring adoration of the Goddess of Pop
 
 
 
 Chapter One
 “The Fun Fair is always so boring,” I say.
 “Mac Riley!” Dad warns. “Mind your manners. We’re discussing new business. We’re not bashing the Fun Fair.” He is head of our school’s parent association and chair of this meeting. A few of us students have been invited to provide input for the Fun Fair committee. Which is totally what I’m doing.
 I hear Chandra and Jenny snicker. The biggest jerks in our grade. One of them whispers loud enough for me to hear, “Why is Mac always so much drama?”
 I roll my eyes. I turn my head a little to give them what I hope is a threatening look. The girls lean into each other and giggle.
 Amy elbows me and whispers, “Don’t pay any attention to them. Eyes on the prize, Mac.”
 My best friend is right. I can’t forget our plan. We have to do this properly. I’m not exaggerating— the Fun Fair is a total snooze, not at all the big community event it could be. Every year it’s the same old thing. There’s a sad bouncy castle, a water-gun fight and some face painting. We get some families with little kids in the area, but most of the people who come are students from our school. And they show up to hang out with their friends. But I have an idea that could change everything.
 I stand up. “This is new business,” I say. “The Fun Fair is not only a community event but also our biggest fundraiser of the year. But I think everyone can agree that it’s become pretty boring over the past few years. It’s time for something new. Something flashy. A real draw.”
 “What do you have in mind?” Dad asks, sighing. He takes off his glasses and rubs his eyes.
 “Well, since you asked,” I say with a grin, “I’ve got an idea. Something to give the Fun Fair a little glitter. And a whole lot of sparkle.” I walk around the room and hand everyone our information package.
 I had wanted to use playful fonts and print the handout on flashy paper. Amy said we’d be taken more seriously if we used plain white paper and black ink. More professional, she said. I don’t know. I think it looks so boring. Kind of like the Fun Fair. So I made up for it with my outfit. I’m wearing black skinny jeans and an oversized sweatshirt with sequin