Preview!

Hello Everyone!
I have just written my HUNDRETH PAGE of the book I'm currently writing!
And so to celebrate, I am going to give you the chance to read the first chapter of my new book, The Great Toy War!
Here it is:

Chapter 1

THE HERO OF THIS STORY

                Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a toy? If so, than this is the book for you. This is the story of a boy who had the extraordinary experience of being a toy. This is his story, and it begins at home.

                It was a Friday afternoon, school had just gotten out and Tommy Plinkerton was outside waiting for his brother Charlie while he set up his toy soldiers in their “Strategic Positions” in the grass right across the sidewalk.  The green grass provided adequate cover to hide his soldiers from the enemy. Finally, Charlie came outside holding a load of tan toy soldiers in his bulging t-shirt. “Okay, give me time to set up,” Charlie said as he started setting his troops up. Suddenly the sun went out.

            “Tommy?”

“Yeah?”

“Is it me, or did mom and dad forget to pay the sun bill again?”

“You’re crazy.  Can’t you feel the earth shaking?”

                Both Tommy and Charlie looked up at the same time and immediately looked away when they saw the meanest kid on the block and his little toady, Travis Patterson and Andrew Dooley. Travis looked to be about three feet taller than Andrew and even had the beginnings of a mustache.  This fact alone made Tommy wonder whether or not Travis was really the appropriate age to be in the sixth grade. He had yellow stinking teeth and he wore a Civil War era Confederate cap that he always claimed was “cool” and honestly it was kind of was.  Andrew was about as tall as Tommy and Charlie, nearly five feet.  He had light brown hair and wore a brown leather jacket that was too big for him, and he was chewing a piece of gum obnoxiously with his mouth open.  Tommy was immediately reminded of a cow chewing his cud.

                Travis bent over Tommy, his shadow looking menacing, “Hey, coward of the county,” Travis let out a big roaring laugh, “Oh good, at least the kid who wants to pound me to a pulp is a Kenny Rogers fan,” thought Tommy. This brought no comfort.

                “Listen twerp, I think that you think you’re a high and mighty on this block.  Well you know what?  You’re not, and if you keep thinking so, we’re gonna have problems, because I’m number one around here, the head honcho, alpha, Kapeesh?”

                As Travis said this, he stepped on one of Tommy’s toy soldiers and broke it.  Actually, he obliterated it.   

“See ya later pipsqueak,” Travis sneered sauntering off majestically.

Once the coast was clear and the threat of the bullies was gone, Tommy and Charlie went back to playing. Tommy picked up the remains what used to be his captain and shrugged.  He placed it gently in his pocket.  “Just ignore them Charlie, you know what they say ‘Water off a duck’s back.”

“So whaddaya want to do later?” Charlie asked continuing to set up his soldiers for the impending battle. 

“Well we can’t do much. That new couple who just moved in is coming over for dinner later, remember?”

“Oh, yeah, the Cramplocks.  They seem nice.”

“Yeah, I guess so.  Are we gonna battle or what,” Tommy said more businesslike.

“Of course we’re gonna battle; just let me finish setting up my guys.”

After a couple of minutes, Charlie was ready.

 Now these battles that Tommy and Charlie do are not those typical five minute battles that so many children do where the soldiers fight and then die, end of story. No, their battles are full of heart, violence (you can’t have a toy soldier battle without violence), and full out strategy. They also named every battle they fought.  Let’s face it, important battles have names.

 “So Charlie, are you ready for ‘The Battle of Mail Box Grove,’” said Tommy.  (The battle was named this for they were right next to their mail box.)

“I am, Tommy, but remember if I choose to retreat I have the entire yard, but if you choose to retreat, you will have to jump into the gutter, which I think would be a little extreme for your men, don’t you?  That was probably a tactical error on your part,” he said grinning.

“It’s a good thing I never retreat,” said Tommy.

“You’re stubborn General Plinkerton, that’s the thing that may cause your downfall,” said Charlie while moving one of his soldiers and giving his best tough voice.

“We will battle for a while and then we will camp for the night, got it men?” Tommy briefed his men. He made them all say “Yes sir!” and then gave some orders as if they understood. “Look! It’s the tannies!  Fire when you get a good aim!”

“Return fire!” Charlie ordered.

The battle that ensued was fierce that “First Day” with many casualties, Charlie’s men tried to push Tommy’s men to the edge of the grass and into the rain gutter. But Tommy’s men fought back valiantly with machine guns and took out many of Charlie’s men. But the Tan Soldiers would not give up. They went back and fired their rifles taking out approximately half the machine gunners.  Tommy and Charlie decided to have their armies camp out near the battle fields for the night.

“What are you doing?” Charlie asked Tommy.

“I’m writing ‘No Man’s Land’ on the side walk.

“I see.  Need any help?”

“Sure,” and with that Tommy handed Charlie a piece of chalk and together they created a great-looking No Man’s Land. There was barbed wire, which was an x, a spiral, then another x. There were large puddles and even mines. By the time Tommy and Charlie were finished, it was the next day of battle for their soldiers. Unfortunately, this day was worse than the last, with many more casualties, but thanks to Tommy’s great strategy skills, he won the battle. While distracting the enemy, Tommy flanked Charlie’s men from behind. Eventually Tommy accepted Charlie’s defeat.

“How do you do that?” Charlie asked.

“Do what?” replied Tommy.

“How do you do that strategy thing? You have never lost a game of strategy.”

“I’m not sure; it just comes to me,” Tommy replied casually.

Suddenly the front door opened and Tommy and Charlie’s mother called for them.

“Tommy, Charlie! Come inside and get ready.  Quickly! The Cramplocks will be here any minute.

“Okay mom,” the boys said in unison as they wiped their chalk-stained hands on their shirts.

They stood up and shook hands. “Congratulations, General Plinkerton,” said Charlie.

 “You, too, General Plinkerton.  You are truly a worthy adversary,” he said solemnly.

Together they picked up the toys and rushed inside to get ready for a special visitor that unknowingly would change their lives forever.