Here’s a bit of a teaser for the new mid-grade novel I’m working on, Marvelous Mr. Fritz:

This old guy moved in next door to me two days ago. I watched as they moved him in. They don’t know I was watching, but I was. I rode back and forth on my bike sixteen times (I counted) and saw the man and woman who live next door carry load after load of stuff into the house, including a really old lamp and a rotten looking old chair. That’s how I knew he was moving in and not just staying for the weekend. No one brings that much stuff just for a visit.

I’ve been keeping my eye on him ever since. Yesterday he sat out on the porch for a long time. He didn’t do much of anything out there. Most adults would read a newspaper or something. But I guess he’s too old for that. He must be too old for everything because he just sat. And sat. And sat. And I was forced to sit there in my window and watch him do nothing for the entire day!

Today he’s back outside again. Sitting. And I’ve just about had it. If he thinks he’s going to keep me here all day watching him, he’s got another thing coming. There’s only one thing I can do. I’m going out there. My yard is out there too, and I have a right to be in it. Even if there will be a creepy old guy out there watching me.