Eyes on the Prize Read online

  Sound familiar? Hey, we’ve all been there.

  How does it feel when you’re distracted?

  “It’s like my brain is a hiker, and it’s getting lost in the woods.”

  —Giovanni, age eleven

  “I think, I need to work, but I can’t do my work. If it was a video game, I’d use a power-up to get more strength and fight the distractions.”

  —Liam, age eight

  “It feels sort of like if you wore hearing aids and they got knocked off—like the only thing you can hear is your mind talking.”

  —Stella, age nine

  “My eyes go to other stuff in the classroom, and I start thinking about that, or somebody says something that reminds me of a TV show, and then I have no idea what just happened, and I am completely lost and kind of nervous.”

  —Kora, age twelve

  What helps you pay attention?

  “Sometimes if I’m distracting myself in class, my teacher lets me take a break and walk around the hall. When I go back to class, I’m more focused.”

  —Liam, age eight

  “I cuddle my dog, Cider, and it helps me relax and focus.”

  —Sean, age nine

  “A trick I learned is that if you constantly follow your teacher with your eyes, it helps you stay on track.”

  —Giovanni, age eleven

  “If you don’t sleep, then you won’t be able to do anything without getting distracted, so I recommend sleeping at night.”

  —Kevin, age eleven

  What to Do When It’s Hard to Pay Attention

  Getting distracted can get in your way and can make you feel really frustrated—especially if other people think you’re goofing off when you’re trying your best. Here’s the thing: It’s not your fault. Some people (grown-ups included) just have a harder time staying focused, keeping organized, and planning stuff.

  News flash! Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Even the most perfectly perfect person on the planet has stuff that’s hard for him or her to do, and even the folks who seem to always be making mistakes have natural strengths and awesome talents.

  Ever hear of a guy named Michael Phelps? He won twenty-eight Olympic medals for swimming. How about Simone Biles? She’s a gymnast who nabbed four gold medals in her first Olympics, at age nineteen. What about Jim Carrey, Hollywood star, or Adam Levine, lead singer of the band Maroon 5? Or billionaire businessman Sir Richard Branson?

  Know what they all have in common? As kids, all of them had a really hard time sitting still and paying attention. School was often really boring for them, and they struggled with it. It sure didn’t stop them from taking the world by storm, did it?

  Take a minute and think of three of your strengths—go ahead, I’ll wait.… Got ’em? Maybe you have an amazing memory or a killer sense of humor or incredible balance, or maybe you’re a master builder or a born leader or a whiz at languages or the backstroke or ventriloquism. Raaaaaaahhh! (That’s the roar of the crowd cheering for you.) You’re awesome!

  Okay, now let’s look at the skills that need work. Still with me? Cool!

  Your brain’s sort of like a control room, and in that room, there’s a big, important control panel where the Big Bosses sit. It’s the “Get Stuff Done” part of your brain (also known as the executive functions). It’s the part that makes sure you pay attention, stay organized, remember stuff, control your impulses, and all sorts of other things. Some of the Big Bosses that work on this control panel are totally nailing their job, and some of them aren’t doing their job as well as they should be. They just need extra training and practice to improve.

  How can you improve those skills, so you’re not quite as distracted?

  So glad you asked!

  1. Pinpoint the problem.

  At first, it might seem like all of school is boring and you always have a hard time focusing or remembering stuff. But it’s probably not really all or always. Ask yourself, When is it hardest for me to pay attention? Which part of my day is giving me the most trouble or stressing me out?

  So if you absolutely hate homework, ask yourself, Which part do I dread the most? Maybe it’s getting started, or maybe it’s finishing up. Maybe it’s the writing or the word problems in math.

  Once you pinpoint the problem, it’s way easier to find a solution. Here are a few solutions for some of the most common problems that pop up when it’s hard to pay attention.

  For when you’re bored stiff

  2. Fiddle with fidgets.

  Some people learn best when their bodies are moving; it keeps their brains from falling asleep. Now, you can’t shoot hoops or do backflips in class, but that’s okay; small movements perk up your brain, too. Talk with your teacher about using a fidget—a small device that you move with your hands—just keep it quiet and on your lap, so it doesn’t distract the other students. If the first kind you try doesn’t help, try a different type—there are tons to choose from!

  3. Take a break.

  Ever been on a long hike and felt like you couldn’t take another step? You probably took a little break, drank some water, and felt ready to hit the trails again in no time. Well, our brains get tired, too, especially if the work’s hard. If you’re having a tough time paying attention, ask your teacher or parents if you can take a little break. Just keep it short (three minutes or less), and make it active (do jumping jacks or walk to the water fountain).

  For when you forget

  4. Use lists.

  If you keep forgetting things you need regularly, like your homework or your soccer cleats, your brain is telling you, Dude! How ’bout a little help here? What you need is a list! Keep it short, and hang it somewhere you can’t miss it: on the front door, your planner, or a suitcase tag hanging off your backpack. Once you get used to seeing it there, move it to a new location.

  5. Set reminders.

  Are you fed up with hearing your parents nag you to study for your math quiz or make your bed? Replace them with robots! Reminders you set up yourself are a lot less annoying (and make you more independent). Program a watch to beep or vibrate, set an iPod to deliver a message, or just stick a Post-it on your fridge or bedroom door.

  None of these strategies is magic, of course. It’ll take time and practice to make those skills stronger. You’ll mess up. It’s kind of what we humans do. You’ll forget stuff and daydream and lose your patience. And when you do, you’ll tell yourself, No big deal. I’ll just try again.

  Keep on trying. Be kind to yourself. The sky’s the limit, so let yourself fly high.

  Want more tips or fixes for other problems? Just want to check out some Fix-it Friends games and activities? Visit the Fix-It Friends website at fixitfriendsbooks.com!

  Resources for Parents

  If your child struggles with planning, attention, and organization, you may find these resources helpful.

  Books for Kids

  A Bird’s-Eye View of Life with ADD and ADHD, 3rd edition, by Chris A. Zeigler Dendy and Alex Zeigler, Chris A. Zeigler Dendy Consulting LLC, 2015

  Cory Stories: A Kid’s Book About Living with ADHD by Jeanne Krauss, Magination Press, 2004

  Learning to Slow Down and Pay Attention: A Book for Kids About ADHD, 3rd edition, by Kathleen G. Nadeau and Ellen B. Dixon, Magination Press, 2004

  The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1) by Rick Riordan, Hyperion, 2005

  My Friend the Troublemaker: Learning to Focus and Thriving with ADHD by Rifka Schonfeld, Philipp Feldheim, 2012

  Putting on the Brakes: Understanding and Taking Control of Your ADD or ADHD, 3rd edition, by Patricia O. Quinn and Judith M. Stern, Magination, 2012

  Books for Parents

  8 Keys to Parenting Children with ADHD by Cindy Goldrich, W. W. Norton & Company, 2015

  Driven to Distraction (Revised): Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey, Anchor, 2011

  Ready, Set, Breathe: Practice Mindfulness with Your Children for Fewer
Meltdowns and a More Peaceful Family by Carla Naumberg, New Harbinger, 2015

  Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary “Executive Skills” Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare, Guilford Press, 2009

  Taking Charge of ADHD: Third Edition: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents by Russell A. Barkley, The Guilford Press, 2013

  Understanding Girls with ADHD: How They Feel and Why They Do What They Do, 2nd edition, by Kathleen G. Nadeau, Ellen B. Littman, and Patricia O. Quinn, Advantage Books, 2015

  Websites

  ADD Resources

  www.addresources.org

  CHADD

  www.chadd.org

  PTS Coaching

  www.ptscoaching.com

  Understood

  www.understood.org

  Praise for

  The Fix-It Friends: Have No Fear!

  “Fears are scary! But don’t worry: the Fix-It Friends know how to vanquish all kinds of fears, with humor and step-by-step help. Nicole C. Kear has written a funny and helpful series.”

  —Fran Manushkin, author of the Katie Woo series

  “Full of heart and more than a little spunk, this book teaches kids that fear stands no chance against friendship and courage. Where were the Fix-It Friends when I was seven years old?”

  —Kathleen Lane, author of The Best Worst Thing

  “I love the Fix-It Friends as a resource to give to the families I work with. The books help kids see their own power to overcome challenge—and they’re just plain fun to read.”

  —Lauren Knickerbocker, PhD, Co-Director, Early Childhood Clinical Service, NYU Child Study Center

  “Hooray for these young friends who work together; this diverse crew will have readers looking forward to more.”

  —Kirkus Reviews

  About the Author

  Nicole C. Kear grew up in New York City, where she still lives with her husband, three firecracker kids, and a ridiculously fluffy hamster. She’s written lots of essays and a memoir, Now I See You, for grown-ups, and she’s thrilled to be writing for kids, who make her think hard and laugh harder. She has a bunch of fancy, boring diplomas and one red clown nose from circus school. Seriously.

  Visit her online at nicolekear.com, or sign up for email updates here.

  About the Illustrator

  Tracy Dockray illustrated the paperback cover of Lois Lowry’s Stay, a dog’s tale about his life, and a picture book, Izzy & Oscar (Sourcebooks, 2015) a story about a more unusual kind of pet. Tracy has illustrated numerous other picture books such as The Tushy Book and the prize winning Lost and Found Pony, as well as an edition of Beverly Cleary’s Ramona series, Ralph the Mouse series and Henry Huggins series. You can sign up for email updates here.

  Thank you for buying this

  St. Martin’s Press ebook.

  To receive special offers, bonus content,

  and info on new releases and other great reads,

  sign up for our newsletters.

  Or visit us online at

  us.macmillan.com/newslettersignup

  For email updates on Nicole C. Kear, click here.

  For email updates on Tracy Dockray, click here.

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Notice

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Take the Fix-It Friends Pledge

  Just for Kids!

  Resources for Parents

  Praise for The Fix-It Friends: Have No Fear!

  About the Author and Illustrator

  Copyright

  Text copyright © 2018 by Nicole C. Kear. Illustrations copyright © 2018 by Imprint.

  A part of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC

  175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010

  mackids.com

  All rights reserved.

  Why You Shouldn’t Steal This Book

  by Jude Conti

  1. It’s unethical. Like, just plain wrong.

  2. You’ll get caught.

  3. You don’t need to! It’s basically the whole reason libraries were invented.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Names: Kear, Nicole C., author. | Dockray, Tracy, illustrator.

  Title: The fix-it friends: eyes on the prize / Nicole C. Kear; illustrated by Tracy Dockray.

  Other titles: Eyes on the prize

  Description: First edition. | New York: Imprint, 2018. | Series: The Fix-It Friends; [5] | Summary: The Fix-It Friends help Matt, Veronica’s annoying classmate, get organized after she is teamed with him for a 100 Day assignment. Includes notes for children and their parents. | Includes bibliographical references.

  Identifiers: LCCN 2017031964 (print) | LCCN 2017004965 (ebook) | ISBN 9781250086730 (Ebook) | ISBN 9781250115805 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781250086723 (pbk.)

  Subjects: | CYAC: Cooperativeness—Fiction. | Orderliness—Fiction. | Helpfulness—Fiction. | Brothers and sisters—Fiction. | Friendship—Fiction. | Schools—Fiction.

  Classification: LCC PZ7.1.K394 (print) | LCC PZ7.1.K394 Eye 2018 (ebook) | DDC [Fic]—dc23

  LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017031964

  Our eBooks may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at (800) 221-7945 ext. 5442 or by e-mail at [email protected].

  Imprint logo designed by Amanda Spielman

  Illustrations by Tracy Dockray

  First hardcover edition, 2018

  eBook edition, January 2018

  eISBN 9781250086730