John J Davis

“That was the assignment Mrs. Jewls put up on the board. Dana’s picture showed a giraffe studying a map. She had drawn a large question mark over the giraffe’s head. Her book report only had to be one page, but she had written two whole pages. The Lost Giraffe was her favorite book ever! Now all she needed was a paper clip. She searched her desk. She found quite a few pencils, mostly broken. There were lots of eraser bits and crayon nubs. There was also a crumb-covered pink piece of paper that had come off the bottom of a cupcake. “Oh no, oh no, oh no,” she moaned as she continued to search. She raised her hand. “Yes, Dana,” said Mrs. Jewls. “I need a new paper clip.” “But I gave you one at the beginning of the year,” said Mrs. Jewls. “I know, Mrs. Jewls. I’m sorry. I just can’t find it!” Mrs. Jewls sighed. “I’m very disappointed in you, Dana.”
― Louis Sachar, Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom