CHAPTER 1

DISCOVERED

Under the hot August sun, Juan ran as fast as a racecar across the black surface of the school track. He was running alone, with no one to push him but himself. He was trying to improve his best time on the 200-meter sprint.

Juan’s legs pumped. Relax, breathe, take long strides, he thought. Relax, breathe, take long strides. Finally, he pushed his body across the finish line.

After jogging a few more steps, Juan lay down flat on his back on the hard track. His heart raced. Sweat trickled down his face onto the rough pavement. He stared up at the sky and tried to catch his breath.

All he could hear, besides his heartbeat, were the noises of the football team practicing on the field in the center of the track. Suddenly, the face of his little sister, Lydia, blocked Juan’s view of the sky. She was holding a stopwatch.

24.81 seconds, said Lydia. Not bad.

Not that good, either, said Juan. He pushed himself up and looked at the football field. A man was there, waving at them.

Hey kid! shouted the man. Come over here.

Juan and Lydia looked at each other, then back at the man. Is he talking to us? Juan asked his sister.

Yeah, you! yelled the man.

Juan and Lydia jogged over to him. The man stuck out his hand. I’m Coach Bryant, he said.

Juan shook his hand. I’m Juan.

Nice to meet you, Juan, said Coach Bryant.

And this is my sister, Lydia, said Juan.

I’m ten, said Lydia. I’m going into fifth grade.

Coach Bryant smiled. And how about you, Juan? he asked. What grade will you be in this fall?

Seventh, said Juan.