The Stinky Sneakers Mystery by Beverly Lewis

ONE
    Jason Birchall wanted first place in the science fair. So did all the kids in Miss Hershey’s class.
    But Jason was the only one bragging about his project.
    He bragged to his friends Eric, Shawn, and Dunkum. He bragged during math, at lunch, and all during recess.
    Jason was still talking about his project on the walk home from school. “I’m getting first place this year,” he said. “Can you guess why?”
    Eric Hagel and Shawn Hunter shook their heads. “Nope,” said Eric.
    â€œNope,” repeated Shawn. “I not.” He was still learning English. Shawn and his brother, Jimmy, had come from Korea.
    â€œHurry up, Jason. Spit it out,” Dunkum Mifflin said. “What’s so great about your project?”
    Jason spotted Abby Hunter and her best friend, Stacy Henry. “Hey, girls,” he called to them. “Wanna hear about my science project?”
    Abby and Stacy didn’t even turn around. They whispered to each other instead.
    They’re really dying to know , thought Jason.
    In the middle of the cul-de-sac, Jason stopped. He put his hands up to his mouth and shouted, “I have the best scienee project in the world!”
    Abby glanced over her shoulder.“You’re going to make yourself disappear, right?”
    Stacy Henry giggled.
    Eric and Shawn tried not to.
    â€œVery funny,” said Jason.
    â€œCome on,” Dunkum said. “Give it to us straight. What’s your project?”
    â€œYes, give us good hint,” Shawn said.
    Jason folded his arms across his chest. He looked at his cul-de-sac friends.
    And . . . whoosh!
    The words shot past his lips. Out into the air they flew. “Super sprouts,” he said. “I’m growing super sprouts.”
    Eric laughed. “Anyone can do that.”
    â€œNot the way I’m growing them,” Jason said.
    â€œWhat’s so special about it?” asked Dunkum.
    Jason’s voice got louder. “My sprouts are growing in a piece of carpet.”
    Shawn looked puzzled. “Magic sprouts?”
    Eric’s eyes got wide. But he was silent.
    Shawn grinned at Jason. “You get first place!”
    â€œYou’re right!” Jason shouted. “And next week we’ll find out!”
    â€œWe sure will,” Eric said. There was a sly grin on his face. A very sly grin.
    Now Jason was worried. He watched Eric run up the steps to his house.
    What was Eric’s project? And why was he acting so strange?

TWO
    Jason was counting. Three more days until the science fair.
    He sat on the beanbag in his room. He was trying to do math. Ten problems for tomorrow.
    Jason groaned. He was only half finished.
    He couldn’t keep his mind on math. He gazed at the windowsill. The super sprouts were growing there in a piece of green carpet.
    Jason stared at them. He stared hard.
    He imagined a giant trophy floating over the sprouts.
    Jason could hear Miss Hershey’s voice. She was telling the class about his project. Miss Hershey was bragging about him.
    â€œNow for the best student in the class,” she said. “Will Jason Birchall please come forward?”
    The kids were green with envy.
    Abby and Stacy were pointing.
    Eric and Dunkum were leaning forward in their seats.
    Everyone was whispering. Jason . . . Jason . . . His name flew around the classroom.
    Jason stood up and went to Miss Hershey’s desk. All eyes were on him.
    The teacher held up a shiny, gold trophy. First place!
    â€œWow,” said the kids.
    Jason held up his green carpet square and the super sprouts. He held them high.

    â€œJason! Yippe-e-e!” The whole class cheered. Wild, happy cheering.

    Z-z-z. Jason was asleep in his beanbag.
    The phone rang. Jason jumped.
    His mother called to him, “It’s your friend Eric.”
    Jason rubbed his eyes. He pulled himself out of the beanbag. “I’m coming,” he mumbled.
    He shuffled down the hallway. His mother held out