Wedge of Fear

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Overshadowed by the death of his brother, Tony is about to encounter the western way of life when his parents move from the East Coast to Wyoming. Starting in a new school as a sixth grader isn’t easy when your controlling mother is fearful of everything. Tony likes his new teacher, Mr. Brunswick, but Regina, the class bully, does her best to makes his life difficult. Jed, the son of a rancher, befriends Tony and helps him adjust to his new environment. Life becomes more complicated when his grandmother dies and a series of unpredictable events causes his father to question his ability to take care of himself and be responsible. In the end, Tony is tested when a tornado rips through his neighborhood.

Read an Excerpt

“Stop treating me like a little kid!”

“Tony, don’t talk to your mother that way.” Dad pointed a finger at him.

“But, Dad, nobody in sixth grade has their mom go with them to school on their first day.” Tony pushed strands of hair out of his eyes and sighed. He placed his empty cereal bowl on the kitchen counter.

“I just want you to get off to a good start. This is a new school,” Mom said, rinsing out a dish. “We’ve only been in Wyoming a week, and you don’t know anybody yet.”

“I’ll be fine, Mom,” Tony said, even though his stomach tightened with the thought of going to a new school. What if the kids didn’t like him? What if they made fun of him because he was from New York? Could he take care of himself?

Tony’s broad-shouldered dad, Gene, reached down and wrapped his arms around his wife’s tiny waist. “Frances, Tony will be fine.” He winked at Tony.

“But, Gene, what if…” Mom looked down and rubbed her hands on her skirt.

“He’ll be all right,” Dad whispered into her ear.

Tony smiled. “I’ll be okay. I’ll make new friends.”

“Well, I suppose. But make sure you’re careful with your new jeans. Money is tight now, with moving and all. I can’t afford to buy you new clothes the way that you’re growing.” She reached over to adjust his shirt collar.

Tony pulled away. “Mom, don’t.”

“Tony, you’d better get going so you’re not late.” Dad placed his arm around Tony’s shoulder. “I’ll see you tonight. Good luck.”

“Thanks, Dad. Bye, Mom.”

About the Author:

Wyoming’s State Poet Laureate, known by many children as the “teacher who dances on his desk,“ Gene Gagliano is a retired elementary school teacher with a great sense of humor, who lives with his wife Carol at the base of the Bighorn Mountains in Buffalo, Wyoming. Gene is the author of: C is for Cowboy, a Wyoming Alphabet; Four Wheels West, a Wyoming Number Book; V is for Venus Flytrap, a Plant Alphabet; My Teacher Dances on the Desk; Little Wyoming; The Magic Box; Angel’s Landing; Booger, Dee and the Mammoth, and Is It True? A collection of humorous poetry. His newest book is a middle grade fiction book titled Wedge of Fear. He enjoys making his educational, entertaining and inspirational school visits, as well as presenting for adults at conferences and library functions. Gene’s hobbies include hiking, canoeing, singing, reading, painting, and gardening.

To learn more about the author go to Gene’s website and to his Facebook page.

http://www.gargene.com/main
https://www.facebook.com/dancingteacher

Wedge of Fear is available on Amazon.com: http://a.co/d/gY2VS8O

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