I told her I don’t like stickers anymore and went to my room

As told to Perel Stone

Tuesday November 4

I can’t believe it!

I waited so long, and today I finally brought my sticker album to school. I was so excited; I whispered to Chana, who sits next to me, to look. I held it under the desk where Mrs. Malinowitz couldn’t see and showed Chana my stickers. Chana said everyone would be so excited to see them and I could probably get a lot of nice stickers for just one of the water-filled ones.

But then Mrs. Malinowitz saw us talking and came to see what we were doing, and took away my sticker album! I had to try really hard not to cry. I sat on the edge of the playground at recess and watched all the girls trading stickers. I had spent so long imagining what it would be like to be one of them! I made sure to look like I didn’t care. I hoped no one could tell that the tears were almost leaking out — then it would be awful and embarrassing. This is the worst day of my entire life!

When I came home, Mommy asked me if I wanted to show her my knapsack and get another sticker.

I told her I don’t like stickers anymore and went to my room.