The next day, Kevin approached Carlos and Minji.
“I’m sorry for my behavior. I want to hang out with you guys again. I promise I will never lose my temper and be a sore loser…or an annoying winner.”
“Or complain about the sun in your eyes?” Minji asked.
“Or grumble about being tired when you’re losing?” Carlos added.
Kevin promised.
Carlos and Minji accepted his apology and they all were friends once again.
“Yeah, we like you. You’re cool,” Minji hugged Lily.
*from Kevin the Complainer, my second book
“You know, Lily, you are all right!” Carlos high-fived her.
*Kevin the Complainer, book two
At lunch, Lily was sitting by herself. Kevin looked over at Minji and Carlos. They were talking and laughing and ignoring him.
So Kevin sat next to Lily.
“Hello,” Lily said.
“Hello,” Kevin answered.
They chewed in silence.
*From my next book, Kevin the Complainer
“Well, then I QUIT!” Kevin stormed off.
It was awkward at lunch. The three always ate lunch together.
Minji and Carlos were eating their lunch and Kevin had to sit by himself.
He was sorry, but couldn’t bring himself to go and apologize.
So he ate his cricket sandwich with jackfruit jelly and felt sorry for himself.
*From my next book, Kevin the Complainer
Ultimate paradox: When you focus on the giving, you get so much more.
At school, Kevin, Carlos, and Minji greeted each other in their usual way.
“Hi guys,” Carlos said.
“Good morning,” Minji smiled.
“If you say so,” Kevin moaned.
Carlos and Minji rolled their eyes.
<<From Kevin the Complainer, my work-in-progress>>
This is Lily. She’s the voice of reason in Kevin the Complainer.
This proverb has been in use since at least the mid 16th century. In 1545 William Turner used a version of it in his papist satire The Rescuing of Romish Fox:
“Byrdes of on kynde and color flok and flye allwayes together.”
Quentin Tarantino realized he needed to leave his flock as a young adult. He was working in a video store (remember those?) and enjoying the benefits of watching movies, which were his passion. His co-workers were also making minimum wage, but he knew he was the smartest one among them. This made him feel comfortable – for three years – where he admits he “lost all ambition.” And then he woke up. He didn’t want to be an elderly man working in a video store, talking about movies. He wanted to MAKE them. So he had to leave his flock.
And he did.
I had my 5th graders list the most important characteristics in their friends – and to prioritize them. Here are two responses:
You’ve got to love how candid kids can be – “too talkative” – nobody likes that, right?
I noticed that out of 61 5th graders, “trust” and “kindness” were the top two answers.
Kismet 