NoQS Minion 8: Brian Bradley: Olympics (or Bust), MG Contemporary, Humor

Title: BRIAN BRADLEY: OLYMPICS (or BUST)
Genre: Middle Grade Contemporary; Humor
Word Count: 37,000

My MC and MA are dressed as:

Both Brian (MC) and Marcus (MA) are dressed as Chicago Bulls player, Bobby Portis. While Marcus' jersey fits, Brian’s comes halfway to his knees. There are other differences, too. Brian has two things tucked under his jersey: a fake Olympic medal and a cardboard cutout of Michael Phelps with a picture of his own face taped on the front. Marcus has a spitball shooter stuffed in the back of his shorts. And a watch—no way can he be late for baseball practice. His dad will flip.

Query:

Until now, ten-year-old Brian Bradley was a lock for Camp Jackman—a training camp for Olympic hopefuls. After all, he has a room full of trophies and a closet stuffed with tracksuits from all-star hockey and soccer teams. But ever since his best friend betrayed him and his sister was diagnosed with diabetes, Brian’s win-loss record has taken a dive. As his confidence sinks, his camp application grows more and more pathetic.

On top of everything, Brian is still on the “before” side of a growth spurt while other kids shoot up around him. When Brian is wrongly accused of starting a classroom eraser fight, his mom and principal force him to compete in a dreaded writing contest. If he doesn’t ace all three essays, he can’t apply to Camp Jackman at all.

Just as his application is officially DOA, video of an epic classroom food fight goes viral. Brian knows this is his chance to be as brave as his sister—who’s taken on her diabetes like a world-class champion—and either take matters into his own hands or kiss his Olympic dreams goodbye.

First 250 words:

CHAPTER ONE – HEAVY AMMUNITION

Fifth Grade Life Tip #1: If an eraser fight breaks out in your class, be ready to duck. And don’t get blamed for starting it. 

The Shack is noisy, like always.

Kids turn in their seats to chat with friends. Today, even Clayton is backwards, facing me—and he never breaks the rules. 

“You ready for today?”

“Think so.” My eyes dart to Clayton’s yellow shirt. I can’t admit I’m nervous about playing a sport—any sport—for the first time in my life.

“Shack Kids, I’m stepping out.” Mr. Young’s deep voice bounces off the walls. We all know it means he’s off to puff up his hair in the bathroom. In the main building. He does that.

The second he leaves, a piece of eraser, small and pink, whizzes past my ear.

“Bombs away!” Jayson calls.

Another chunk of pink flies overhead. This one’s bigger—the size of a sugar cube. I spin around to find Marcus and Jayson bent way over a desk, making a catapult from a ruler and pencil case. 

Marcus’ tall body stretches out in a bright blue shirt. I’d love to fire an eraser back at him. Right, smack between his spiky blond hair and out-of-control eyebrows. He deserves it. For lots of reasons, but especially for all he’s done to me.

But I won’t. Mr. Young’s been handing out group-detentions lately and I don’t have time for one today.

Not on the last day of tryouts for the All-Star baseball team.