The Great Thanksgiving Escape, by Mark Fearing

Hello, everyone. It's mister catcher again. Coming to you from quarantine. It's a few weeks before Thanksgiving, so I thought I would read you some more Thanksgiving books since it looks like I'm not going to be able to see my family this year. This is called the great Thanksgiving escape by Mark fearing. It was another Thanksgiving at grandma's. You can play in here with the rest of the kids, Gavin's mother told him, we'll call you when the turkey's ready. He stuck babysitting the little children. Have fun, Gavin's dad called by Gavin knew it was not going to be fun. No fun at all. Hey, someone whispered. It was his cousin Rhonda. What do you say we break out of here and head for the swing set in the backyard? I'm supposed to stay here until turkey time, Gavin said. Or on the climb that from under the coat, the way I see it, gas, she said, is that sometimes you have to make your own fun. Aria, with me, she asks, Gavin nodded. I'm in. They crept out and headed for the front door. Suddenly we're on the jump back. The wig's block, my vicious guard dogs. I think they've picked up our scent shield run. Quite frankly, they don't look very vicious to me. But when they rounded the corner, Rhonda stopped dead in their tracks. It's the hall of ants, will be pinched and smothered for sure she cried. Gavin trembled. Remembering Christmas last year, he had the ISIS face for three days. They took off, but it was too late. Iran had been grabbed. Oh, luckily, she reacted defensively. And managed to break free without a pinch. Quick, before another one comes in for snuggle, yellow on this, she bolted past. Head for the back door. Oh no. The great wolf punch. Rhonda yelled, it's certain death to get between them and the TV. Every time I read this page to a kindergarten class, I have to wait till they stop giggling. Down here, Rhonda said, I bet there's a way through the basement. Gaffen wasn't so sure. It looked dark and smelled like dirty socks and hair gel. They peak cautiously around the corner. Zombies Ronda screen, the leader brains as an appetizer. They raced back up the stairs to the kitchen. Just a little snack for the road, Gavin said, no, Ronda yelled, it's a trap. She grabbed Kevin just before they were surrounded. They turned and sprinted for the door. We're almost there. But they skidded to a stop when they reached the glass. You can see it's raining there. At least we tried Ronda said. Gavin was quiet for a moment. Lady said, the way I see it, Rhonda, is that sometimes you have to make your own fun. And there they are playing in The Rain. Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know I plan to really stuff my face. Everybody stay good, wash your hands, use a mask.