Read an Excerpt
Charlotte and the Quiet Place
Charlotte’s house is noisy.
In the hallway, the floorboards groan.
In the living room, the TV bellows and blares.
In the kitchen, her dog, Otto, yips, yaps, and yowls.
Even in her bedroom, which is supposed to be a quiet place, the old steam radiator
hisses, whistles, and whines.
Where can Charlotte find a quiet place?
Charlotte’s school is noisy.
In the classroom, the bell clangs.
In the lunchroom, the trays clatter and crash.
On the playground, the swings creak, squeak, and rattle.
Even in the library, which is supposed to be a quiet place, the children giggle, yammer, and yell.
Where can Charlotte find a quiet place?
Charlotte’s neighborhood is very, very noisy.
On the sidewalk, the jackhammers blast.
On the street, the sirens warble and wail.
Underground, the subway screeches, rumbles, and roars.
Even in the park, which is supposed to be a quiet place, the leaf blower buzzes, blusters,
and hums.
“Nooo!” cries Charlotte. “I have to find a quiet place!”
