Hattie in the Spotlight Read online

  chapter 7

  Behind the Scenes

  Hattie hurried home to tell her family the big news.

  Owen headed back to town. He needed to get a few things for his mom at the General Store.

  But Sophie had a question she needed to get answered.

  She pushed open the theater door and peeked inside. Not far away, Mr. Handy was talking with Mrs. Wise. Then Mrs. Wise hurried off backstage.

  This was Sophie’s chance! “Excuse me, Mr. Handy?” she said, hurrying over. “I heard you might be looking for help with the set?”

  Mr. Handy took off his hat. He scratched his head as he looked down at Sophie.

  “Sophie Mouse?” Mr. Handy replied. “Are you saying you’d be interested?” He sounded skeptical—as if he wasn’t convinced Sophie was up to the job.

  Sophie almost turned around and left.

  Instead she took a deep breath and answered confidently. “Yes. I would.”

  Mr. Handy was silent and still. When he suddenly spoke, Sophie jumped in alarm.

  “Wonderful!” Mr. Handy boomed. “That’s just splendid. We can use all the help we can get!”

  “Can you come to rehearsal tomorrow?” Mr. Handy asked. “You can get started. And we’ll find you some helpers. The set designer needs helpers.”

  Sophie nodded. She couldn’t wait! “I’ll be there!”

  * * *

  The next few weeks were a blur of school, homework, and play rehearsals. Every free moment was filled with Fun Town.

  Owen signed up to help with lighting for the show. So now all three friends were in the cast or crew. On the one hand, they saw one another every day. On the other hand, they didn’t spend much time together because they were so busy preparing for the show.

  They each had different jobs.

  Owen was learning how to aim the spotlights and run the lighting board. There were switches and dials for each light. They could go on or off, bright or dim, and even change color.

  Sophie made sketches of sets and backdrops. She worked with Mrs. Weaver, the seamstress, to make huge fabric canvases. Then Sophie directed the painters. They transferred her designs onto the canvas. The backdrops were hung from the stage rafters and dropped down for different scenes. Sophie also worked with Mr. Handy. They made movable wooden set pieces—like the Town Hall steps.

  And Hattie was constantly onstage. At first, Mrs. Wise and the actors practiced one scene at a time. They ran through lines. They decided who would stand where. They learned dance moves.

  And as the weeks went on, they ran through the whole play over and over again.

  In the role of Franny, Hattie had two big musical numbers: “Get Out While You Can” and “A New Day.” Her voice was perfect for them.

  Backstage, at work on the sets, Sophie smiled whenever she heard Hattie singing. Hattie sang the songs so many times, Sophie had them memorized too.

  chapter 8

  Opening-Night Jitters

  “Okay, everyone,” Mrs. Wise called out. “That’s a wrap!”

  The final dress rehearsal was over. The entire cast and crew of Fun Town gathered on the stage.

  “Tomorrow is opening night,” Mrs. Wise said. “Everyone get a good night’s sleep. Rest your bodies and your voices.”

  Sophie, Hattie, and Owen walked out of the theater together.

  Sophie sighed with relief. Her work was done. The sets were in place. The stage crew knew all the cues. They would take care of changing the scenery during the shows.

  “I can’t wait to watch from the audience tomorrow!” Sophie exclaimed.

  Hattie let out a deep breath. “I sort of wish I could watch from the audience.”

  Sophie and Owen looked at her curiously. “Are you nervous?” Owen asked.

  Hattie nodded. “What if I forget my lines?” she said. “What if I freeze onstage?”

  She covered her face. “What if I’m not meant for the spotlight?”

  Sophie gave her a squeeze. “Trust me,” she began, “Owen and I have seen you onstage all these weeks. You are amazing up there!”

  They walked Hattie home. On the way, they reminded her how well she knew her part.

  “I bet you could say your lines in your sleep,” Owen said.

  Hattie laughed. “Probably,” she agreed.

  “And your songs,” said Sophie, “you’ve sung them literally a hundred times. I haven’t heard you mess up once.”

  “But I’ve never done it in front of a big audience,” Hattie pointed out.

  They had arrived at Hattie’s front door.

  “Just remember this,” Sophie said. “The audience is going to be full of family and friends. The friendliest audience you can imagine. And all rooting for you!”

  Hattie nodded. Then she said good night to her friends. “Thanks,” Hattie said before closing the door. “I feel better.”

  * * *

  Early the next morning, Sophie was in the kitchen eating her oats and berries. “Only twelve hours until the show!” she said to Winston next to her.

  Suddenly there was a loud knock at the front door. Sophie went to answer it. She swung the door open. There stood Hattie. Her eyes were wide in alarm.

  “Aw, Hattie,” Sophie said, “don’t worry! We told you last night. You’re going to be fine—” Sophie stopped.

  Hattie was shaking her head urgently. She pointed at her own throat. “Sophie,” Hattie whispered.

  “What is it?” Sophie asked. “Why are you whispering?”

  “Because,” Hattie whispered back, “I lost my voice!”

  “You lost your voice?” Sophie cried.

  Hattie’s panicked expression suddenly made perfect sense. Tonight was opening night. Hattie had a big role, but she had no voice!

  “Uh-oh,” said Sophie.

  chapter 9

  Get Well Soon!

  Sophie sprang into action. “It’s okay,” she told Hattie. “I’ll meet you back at your house. And I’ll bring help.”

  Then Sophie ran upstairs. She changed out of her pajamas and into her clothes. She ran down to the pantry and gathered supplies. During the winter, her mom had lost her own voice from a bad cold. Sophie remembered all the things Mrs. Mouse had used to get better.

  Sophie packed them all in a basket. She told her mom and dad where she was going. Then Sophie ran to get Owen. On the way to Hattie’s, Sophie told him why Hattie needed their help.

  Sophie and Owen found Hattie in the kitchen with her mom. Hattie opened her mouth to say something.

  Sophie held up a hand. “No talking,” she said. “You need to rest your voice.”

  Hattie nodded in silent agreement.

  “Good advice,” Mrs. Frog said. “I’ll put water on for tea.”

  “Great!” said Sophie. “I brought some slippery elm bark tea. My mom says it soothes the throat.”

  Mrs. Frog made some and served Hattie a cup. She sipped at it dutifully.

  When Hattie’s cup was empty, Sophie jumped up. “How about another?” She added some honey for extra throat-soothing power.

  When Hattie couldn’t drink another drop, they moved on to the next remedy.

  “Steam!” Sophie declared. She filled a bowl with the leftover hot water. Hattie leaned over it and breathed in the rising steam. Sophie draped a towel over Hattie’s bowed head. It created a tent over the steam bowl.

  “Deep breaths,” Sophie instructed.

  Owen had the next idea. “My mom makes me nap when I’m not feeling well,” he said.

  So they sent Hattie off to sleep for a while.

  When she woke up, Mrs. Frog gave Hattie a spoonful of elderberry syrup. “Seems to fix most things,” Mrs. Frog said.

  As the day went on, Hattie tried gargling with saltwater.

  She drank a capful of apple-cider vinegar.

  She wrapped warm scarves around her throat.

  But eventually, their time ran out. Hattie had to start getting ready to go to the theater.

  “Maybe you should
test it?” Owen asked. “Your voice. To see if it’s back?”

  Hattie looked at her mom and Sophie. They nodded.

  So Hattie opened her mouth. “Um… hello?” she said softly. It was rough. It was gravelly. But it was there.

  The question was… would it last?

  chapter 10

  The Show Must Go On

  Sophie fidgeted in her seat. She looked down the row of theater seats. Next to her, Winston looked sharp in his best shirt and tie. The whole Mouse family had dressed up for their night at the theater.

  Oak Hollow Theater was packed. The play was about to begin. Sophie saw Owen take his seat at the lighting board behind the back row. He waved at her and raised his eyebrows, as if to say, What’s going to happen?

  Sophie tugged at her whiskers and shrugged. I don’t know!

  Then the house lights went down. The musicians in the band pit began to play. The curtain went up.

  And there it was: Fun Town, with sets designed by Sophie Mouse. There were the backdrops she had worked so hard on.

  Around her, Sophie heard audience members gasp. There were even oohs and aahs.

  Sophie grinned. They liked it!

  The set did look magical. The soft lighting made it look like early morning in town. The lights sparkled off the bits of glitter Sophie had sprinkled on some of the scenery.

  Actors made their entrances: the mayor and the shopkeepers. They delivered their lines, including a funny one.

  The audience laughed! The opening number went off without a hitch.

  It was going so well, Sophie almost forgot about Hattie. But then came the second scene—and Hattie’s entrance.

  Sophie knew exactly how it was supposed to go. She held her breath.

  Hattie—or Franny—entered from stage right. She walked confidently across the stage. She stepped right up to her dad, the mayor. She stared him squarely in the face.

  “No way!” Franny shouted. “I am not riding in a float in the town parade!”

  Her voice was loud and forceful and clear as day. Sophie’s heart soared. Hattie’s voice was back!

  Sophie sank back into her chair with relief. Now she could enjoy every moment of Hattie’s performance.

  Sophie craned her neck to see every time Hattie was onstage. She sang along with the musical numbers. She belly-laughed at Hattie’s funny lines, even though she’d heard them all. She clapped and cheered loudly after Hattie’s big songs.

  Sophie was so happy for her—and so proud!

  After the finale, the whole cast lined up onstage. The audience erupted into thunderous applause.

  Sophie saw Hattie look around. When their eyes met, Hattie smiled a wide, proud smile. Then the cast joined hands and took a bow.

  Sophie was the first one on her feet to give them a standing ovation.

  The End

  More from this Series

  A New Friend

  Book 1

  The Emerald Berries

  Book 2

  Forget-Me-Not Lake

  Book 3

  Looking for Winston

  Book 4

  The Maple Festival

  Book 5

  Winter's No Time to…

  Book 6

  About the Author and Illustrator

  Poppy Green can talk to animals! Unfortunately, they never talk back to her. So she started writing in order to imagine what they might say and do when humans aren’t watching. Poppy lives on the edge of the woods in Connecticut, where her backyard is often a playground for all kinds of wildlife: birds, rabbits, squirrels, voles, skunks, deer, and the occasional wild turkey.

  Jennifer A. Bell is an illustrator whose work can be found in greeting cards, magazines, and more than forty children’s books. She studied fine art at the Columbus College of Art and Design and spent many years designing seasonal giftware and greeting cards before becoming a children’s book illustrator. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.

  Visit us at simonandschuster.com/kids

  www.SimonandSchuster.com/Authors/Poppy-Green

  www.SimonandSchuster.com/Authors/Jennifer-A-Bell

  Little Simon

  Simon & Schuster, New York

  AdventuresOfSophieMouse.com

  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  LITTLE SIMON

  An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division • 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020 • www.SimonandSchuster.com • First Little Simon hardcover edition March 2020 • Copyright © 2020 by Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. LITTLE SIMON is a registered trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc., and associated colophon is a trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc. For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Simon & Schuster Special Sales at 1-866-506-1949 or [email protected]. The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1-866-248-3049 or visit our website at www.simonspeakers.com.

  Series designed by Laura Roode.

  Book designed by Hannah Frece.

  Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available for this title from the Library of Congress.

  ISBN 978-1-5344-6019-5 (hc)

  ISBN 978-1-5344-6018-8 (pbk)

  ISBN 978-1-5344-6020-1 (eBook)

 

 

  Poppy Green, Hattie in the Spotlight

 

 

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