NaNoWriMo - Summary and Excerpt

HOW MY LIFE BEGAN

Think About Your Future

SUMMARY

How My Life Began is about a girl who lives in Jasper Park. She is living a normal life and all that changes during a school play. A famous director finds her and idolizes her after seeing her in the school play. She decides to make her famous in his new movie. Everybody loves her but her life turns around. How does her life turn around? You’ll have to see by reading the book.

EXCERPT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1          Cali

CHAPTER 2          Mr. Fansizio

CHAPTER 3          Just Like Boys

CHAPTER 4          Fame

CHAPTER 5          Non-stop Movies

CHAPTER 6          A New Friend

CHAPTER 7          Stowaway

CHAPTER 8          Abandoned

CHAPTER 9          The Road Home

CALI

CHAPTER 1

Hi. I’m Cali Labron Jasper. I wear the same red and white plaid t-shirt with blue jeans and cowboy boots every day. I live on a farm in Jasper Park. You see, my great granddaddy was the one who founded Jasper Park. I always wanted to get out into the big city but my mom liked being in the wilderness.

When I was three years old, I found Hank wondering in the prairie in Jasper Park. Since I could walk, I knew Jasper Park like the back of her hand. Ever since we met, we’ve spent every day after school tracking wild animals. I am the best at tracking animals.

My dad died 6 years ago when dad got in a car accident. I was 7 when that happened.  It tore apart my mother and it was not a very good thing for my mom because she didn’t act the same ever since. Ever since my dad died, she just ignored me and just didn’t really talk to me. I felt a little bit like I did something wrong. I know I didn’t do anything wrong but it wasn’t a good feeling. My mom was always staring at a picture of my dad all day. I stopped observing my mom after three days because I knew she was in her room staring at the picture.

Ever since my dad died, I wasn’t the same nice little girl. I had to grow up overnight. My mom wasn’t taking care of me but my life was moving on so I had to take care of myself. I didn’t know what I was doing so my life was falling apart. This is the story of how life all got better.

Hank and I go to school at Jasper Tree Jr. High. My favorite subject in school is reading which is unfortunate because Hank hates reading. But, recently, we have been selected to be in a play, Dorothy Saves the Farm. I’m playing Dorothy’s best friend, the farmer’s daughter and Hank is playing the farmer who gets saved by Dorothy. Which reminds me, my arch nemesis, Missy Ella, is playing Dorothy.

Missy Ella and I go way back. When we were still toddlers, I was in my hotel room and my mom invited this family with a toddler, Missy Ella, to our room. When the family arrived, I walked over to Missy Ella to say hi but she pulled out a pen and waved it all over the place poking it in my face. Ever since then, we’ve never gotten along. We always seem to meet up with each other as if somebody wanted us to be friends but, if so, the plan is not working. We can barely even talk to each other without getting into a fight. 

Rehearsals for Dorothy Saves the Farm are not going well. Missy blames me for all things that have gone wrong on set. First, Missy’s hair got caught in the fan (even though I wasn’t anywhere near the fan). Two, Missy’s scarf got blown away and she accused me of ripping it off her neck. And three, she tripped and fell into the blue berries pies but told everybody that I pushed her in.

I was going to school when Hank, my best friend, asked why I was so sad.

“I haven’t got the lines for the play tomorrow correct.”

“Oh well Cali, tonight I will go to your house tonight and practice the lines with you if you want.”

“I would like that but you have detention. You won’t be able to come.”

“Don’t worry I have a way.”

BING BONG BING BONG.

“The school bells! I’ll race you to school.”

During school, I mumbled the lines to myself all day but I kept on getting them wrong. Some of them I would get right but I’d forget all of the correct lines. But then, during math, the teacher told me to stop mumbling and do more work. T-R-O-U-B-L-E. I did not like getting in trouble.

At the end of the school day, I told Hank that I would never get the lines correct. Hank said not to worry. He’s still going to come over later to help with the lines. I said see ya later and headed home.

“Mom, I’m home mom.”

“Are you ready for practice!,” Billy yelled.

“Ah! Don’t scare me like that.”

“Ok.”

“How did you get out of detention so quickly?”

“I have a way of doing things.”

“Ok well let’s just practice.”

Hank and I went over the lines a couple hundred times each. It was not easy for to get the lines correct. But, finally, I could get through all of the lines without making a mistake. I still wasn’t sure I’d remember the lines tomorrow but, at least, for today, I felt good.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Cali Labron Jasper:  Cali Laborn Jasper is the star of our novel. She’s taken away from everything she knows and all of her troubles to a world full of movies. She learns that not all movies are good to be in.

Cali’s Mom:  Cali’s mom was never the same after her husband died. She loves her daughter but does not know how to treat Cali after her daughter gets into movies.

Hank:  Hank is Cali’s best friend. They met when Cali found Hank wandering lost in Jasper Park. They are best friends until Cali becomes famous.

Missy Ella:  Missy Ella is Mr. Fransizio’s niece and Cali’s nemesis. She also stars in the school play and many of the movies with Cali. P.S. Missy Ella is the worst person in the world.

Mr. Fransizio:  Mr. Fransizio is a famous director. He sponsors Cali in her first movie and all of the movies she is in. He helps her become famous but then pushes her to do too many movies.

Billy:  Billy is Cali’s new best friend in France and Hank’s new nemesis. Cali meets Billy at her new school in France. He’s handsome boy. P.S. I’m not the one who said he is handsome. I don’t have a crush on him.

Billy’s stepmom:  Billy’s stepmom is a nice, gentle woman who takes care of Cali during the tough days. She is also a teacher at Cali’s new school. She really likes giving homework.

Kitty Cat:  Kitty Cat is the owner of Catco and the most famous journalist in the world. She interviews Cali when she is just becoming famous.

Mrs. Fransizio:   Mrs. Fransizio is Mr. Fransizio’s wife and boss (i.e. extra controlling and bossy). She’s never happy with any of Mr. Fransizio’s work.

Mr. Fransizio’s Boss:  Mr. Fransizio’s boss doesn’t want Cali to quit making movies. He’s particular about who answers his phone.

Aunt Marsha:  Aunt Marsha is Cali’s mom’s twin sister. You can’t tell them apart except that one is nicer than the other. Aunt Marsha comes to France to visit Cali and makes chili.

Cali’s Grandma:  Cali’s grandma teaches Cali an important lesson and helps her in a time of need. Grandma’s will always be home.

Cali’s Grandpa:  Cali’s grandpa lives in New York and drives a helicopter. Jasper Park is named after his grandpa. He helps Cali’s mom in her time of need.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mia Lekika (2005- ), lives with her adoring mother and father and annoying little sister in Santa Ana, CA.  She enjoys writing every word. Every word gives her new inspiration. Mia also enjoys dancing and playing violin. Her favorite book is Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie. She is a member of a homeschool community through Community Home Education Program in Orange County, CA.

Dear Readers,

I hope you love this book. I’m very freaked out about it because I’m only 10 years old writing this very sad book. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Mia Lekika