Language Ar ts

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AJ

by Pauline Cartwright
illustrated by Kate Ashforth

r
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Be n A J
Tha
by Pauline Cartwright
illustrated by Kate Ashforth

Copyright by Harcourt, Inc.

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Printed in Mexico
ISBN 10: 0-15-350397-1
ISBN 13: 978-0-15-350397-9
Ordering Options
ISBN 10: 0-15-350332-7 (Grade 2 Below-Level Collection)
ISBN 13: 978-0-15-350332-0 (Grade 2 Below-Level Collection)
ISBN 10: 0-15-357424-0 (package of 5)
ISBN 13: 978-0-15-357424-5 (package of 5)
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Penny played with AJ every

day.
AJ was nine, and Penny was
only seven.
3

AJ was better at catching

than Penny.
4

AJ ran faster than Penny.

5

AJ danced better than

Penny.
6

AJs dad decided to take

the girls swimming.
7

POLICE STATIO

I can swim fast, said

AJ, as they drove past the
police station.
8

TICKETS

WALK DONT RUN

NO DIVING

Please stand by the sign

while I buy the tickets,
said Dad.
I can swim very fast,
said AJ.
9

Prove it! said Penny.

AJ and Penny slid into the
water.
10

Penny went around the

pool fast. Penny went
around eight times
without stopping!
11

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Penny could swim better

than AJ.
AJ climbed out.
12

Did you already know

that Penny was a good
swimmer? AJ asked Dad.
Yes, he said with a smile.
13

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We are all good at

something, he added.
Penny got out of the water.
Dad and AJ clapped for
Penny.
14

Think Critically
1. How old were AJ and Penny?
2. What could AJ do better than Penny?
3. What words would you use to describe Dad? Why?
4. How did you feel when Penny swam much better
than AJ?

5. What message do you think the author was trying

to give readers?
Language Ar ts
Char t Write the names of three friends across the top of a sheet
of paper. Underneath write what each friend is good at.

School-Home Connection Tell someone at home

about what Dad said to AJ. Discuss what each person
in your family is good at.

Word Count: 146

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