The Curious Adventures of Jimmy McGee (17 page)

"Yes ... oh, yes," said Clarissa.

"And, Clarissa," said Amy. "Remember your alphabet."

"Yes," said Clarissa. "If I forget anything, I just have to think of your
Who's Who Book!
A ... Amy, B ... Bear, C ... Clarissa..."

"You don't need to go through the whole book, Clarissa. It's late. Just tell me the ending."

"Z ... zoomie-zoomies: a magic that can make people who have it do curious things."

"M-m-m," said Clarissa.

They both said "magic" together and made a wish. "May your wish and my wish come true," they said.

E
LEANOR
E
STES
(1906–1988) grew up in West Haven, Connecticut, which she renamed Cranbury for her classic stories about the Moffat and Pye families. A children's librarian for many years, she launched her writing career with the publication of
The Moffats
in 1941. Two of her outstanding books about the Moffats—
Rufus M.
and
The Middle Moffat
—were awarded Newbery Honors, as was her short novel
The Hundred Dresses.
She won the Newbery Medal for
Ginger Pye
in 1952.