Solve The Mystery

Karrie thinks her talented older sister is guaranteed to win her school’s writing contest … but then the unexpected happens!

Enter the Thanksgiving Writing Competition! Karrie felt her heart sink as she stared at the five words written across the flier. There, tacked onto the bulletin board, were the instructions for entering her middle school’s annual writing contest. The competition was open to students in every grade. As a fifth grader, Karrie was one of the younger students in the school, but she knew she had an entry that would “wow” the judges: Last month, Karrie spent an entire week working on a poem for English class. It reflected on her family’s Thanksgiving meals together over the years. Her descriptions throughout the poem were filled with warmth and love, and it even brought her teacher, Ms. Patterson, to tears! But Karrie also knew she’d never submit it. Karrie’s older sister, Angie, was an eighth grader at the school, and she was known for being a fantastic writer. The night before, Angie had announced to their family at dinner that she planned on submitting a short story she had written from a turkey’s point of view. Karrie’s family gushed over Angie’s “great idea” while Karrie kept silent. She felt a pang of sadness, knowing that she’d never win the contest if Angie was also entering. Those same insecurities came flooding back as Karrie stood in front of the bulletin board in the school’s hallway. “Whatchya looking at?” Jazz, Karrie’s BFF, asked. Karrie jumped. She hadn’t even noticed her best friend appear beside her. Jazz followed Karrie’s eyes to the bulletin board. She quickly read the flier and excitedly turned back to Karrie. “Karrie, you should totally enter! The poem you wrote for English class was amazing. Ms. Patterson literally cried.” “No,” Karrie brushed off her pal. “I’m know I’m not going to win, so what’s the point?” “Why wouldn’t you win?” Jazz demanded. “You’re such a great writer. Writing is basically in your family’s DNA — just look at Angie!” Karrie’s face went pale. The last thing she wanted to hear was more people ooh and ahh over Angie’s writing, especially when she was standing in right front of the contest flier. “Just forget about it,” Karrie mumbled. “Let’s get to class before the bell rings.” Karrie and Jazz headed off to class. Karrie usually dreaded the first class of the day, but today, she looked forward to it. She’d finally get a chance to forget about Angie and the contest. For 40 minutes, her insecurities disappeared

— but right before the class dismissed, Ms. Patterson brought up the contest. “Don’t forget to have your parents sign your submissions for the school-wide Thanksgiving writing contest!” Ms. Patterson reminded the class. “The last day to enter is Tuesday!” Karrie wanted to scream. It felt like the universe was sending her constant signs that she’d never be able to measure up to Angie. Karrie grabbed her books as fast as possible and bolted toward the door. She was almost out of the classroom when she felt a hand softly grab her shoulder. “Karrie, I wanted to speak with you,” Ms. Patterson said. “You’re entering the school’s writing contest, right?” Karrie didn’t know what to say. “Um, actually … no, I’m not,” she stumbled over her words. Ms. Patterson gave her a surprised look. “Why not?” she asked. “You know your Thanksgiving poem is wonderful. Don’t you remember the reaction it got from the class? It would be such a shame if you didn’t enter it.” “Well, I’m not, okay?” Karrie said with a sigh. She clutched her books tightly. “I’m sorry, Ms. Patterson, but I’ve got to run to my next class.” Karrie hurried down the hall as quickly as she could. She stayed in a funk for the rest of the school day, and she was still feeling down even as she ate her after-school snack in the kitchen with her mom. “What’s the matter, Kare Bear?” her mom asked, noticing Karrie’s defeated expression. Karrie thought about lying to her mom about how she was feeling, but she decided she couldn’t hide her emotions any longer. “It’s that Thanksgiving writing contest at school,” Karrie began, feeling the tears well up. “You know that poem I wrote for English class? The one that you and everyone else loved? Well, I thought about submitting it into the contest, but then I found out Angie was entering. We both know I couldn’t possibly win against Angie. She’s better than me at writing. She’s better than me at everything, always!” Karrie let out a sob as her mom went in for a hug. “Oh Karrie, that’s not true!” her mom insisted. “You’re just as brilliant of a writer as your sister. That poem is proof!” “It doesn’t matter, because I’m not entering the contest,” Karrie declared, wiping her tears. “I just can’t do it.” Despite Jazz’s, Ms. Patterson’s and her mother’s attempts to change her mind, Karrie stayed true to her word: She did not enter the contest. Instead, Karrie counted down the days until the winner of the writing competition was announced so she could put the whole thing behind her. She felt a sense of relief when the principal came on the PA system to say the name everyone was waiting for. “And the winner of the Thanksgiving writing competition is … Karrie Newman, grade 5!” At first, Karrie thought she had imagined hearing her name. But when everyone in her classroom started applauding and patting her back, she knew she had heard correctly. She had won the Thanksgiving writing contest! … But how?! She racked her brain for a possible explanation. Noticing her confusion, Ms. Patterson approached Karrie’s desk. “I bet you’re wondering how you won, huh?” Ms. Patterson smiled. “I think I know what happened …”