[Storyline Online intro] Welcome to Storyline Online Brought to you by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation I’m Da’Vine Joy Randolph And today, I’m going to read Fresh Juice Written and illustrated by Robert Liu-Trujillo On Saturday morning, Art says, “Daddy, can we go to the park today? ” “I’m all stuffed up,” Daddy grumbles. “I’m still not over this cold.
” “We should make some sick-fighting juice to help you feel better,” Art tells him. Daddy opens the refrigerator. “We’re all out of fresh food for our juice.
Guess we need to see our friends at the farmers’ market. ” “Maybe they’ll have ginger,” Art says. “My teacher says the stuff in it kills germs.
” “Daddy, do you think we’ll see Mama and Dhillon at the market? ” “Maybe. They live close by.
” Art and Daddy get off downtown and walk toward the Saturday farmers’ market. It’s filled with people from all over the world selling fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other treasures. At the first booth, Daddy asks, “Hey, Abbas!
Do you have any ginger to fight a cold? ” Abbas replies, “No, but carrots are full of vitamins and minerals. They should help you feel better.
” “Okay, thanks,” Daddy says, passing over some money. “Hi, Mr. Johnson.
Me and my dad need some ginger. Do you have any? ” Art asks.
“No, but I have collard greens from my family’s farm,” she says. “Do those help fight colds? ” Art asks.
“Sure, honey! My grandmother used to put greens in her soups, rice, everything. Greens have lots of vitamins.
” “All right, we’ll take a bunch,” Daddy says. “Any ginger today, Maribel? ” Daddy asks.
“I’m afraid not. But I have cayenne pepper from Mexico,” Maribel says. “Does that help with sick stuff?
” Art asks. “Kind of! It’s an antioxidant.
It’s like a superhero in your body that fights germs. ” “Ooh, that sounds good for our juice! ” Art says.
“Try the co-op for ginger,” Maribel adds. “Hi. We’re looking for ginger for a juice,” Daddy says at the co-op.
“I’m sorry, we ran out,” a woman replies. Her name tag says Amy. “But try some apples; they’re good for juicing.
Mr Abiodun at the West African store usually has ginger. Hurry, he closes early on Saturdays. ” Art and his dad pay for the apples and head to the West African store.
“Sir, do you have any ginger? ” asks Art. “A man just bought the last piece I had,” Mr Abiodun says.
Art throws up his hands. “But we’ve been looking for ginger forever! ” “I am sorry.
Take some oranges. They’ve got vitamin C. If you are fighting a cold, they will help.
” Art and his dad walk back to the train station, where they get an unwelcome surprise. Daddy sits down to rest. Art says, “Now how are we gonna get home with no train?
” “Hey, y’all! ” Art’s stepfather, Dhillon, rolls to a stop. “What are you doing sitting here?
” Daddy sneezes into a handkerchief. “What’s up, Dhillon? Good to see you.
” “The train station is closed, and we’ve been trying to get some ginger all day to fight Daddy’s cold,” Art says. “We’ve been to the farmer’s market, the co-op, and the corner store. ” “Well, you’re in luck,” Dhillon says.
“I can give you two a ride home in my car, and I just bought the last of Mr Abiodun’s ginger. ” Art’s face lights up. “Wow!
You did? We want to make fresh juice. ” “Okay!
We can test out my new juicer setup,” says Dhillon. At the house, Mama gives Art a hug. There are some familiar faces from the market.
“Did you find your ginger, honey? ” asks Mr. Johnson.
Art says, “Yup, and we got some more goodies to make juice! ” After the grown-ups clean, peel, and trim the ingredients, Art puts some of the greens, carrots, and oranges into the juicer. His mom adds the ginger and some apples.
Dhillon says, “Check this out! When I ride my bike, the generator makes electricity to run the juicer. ” Everyone cheers as he pedals and the juicer gets going.
When it’s done, Art sprinkles in a pinch of cayenne pepper and shares the juice with everyone. “That cayenne sure adds a kick to it,” Abbas says. “Yeah!
The oranges and apples make it sweet, though,” says Daddy. “What do we call this, Art? ” Mama asks.
“Cold-clobbering juice! ” he shouts. The next morning, Art asks his dad, “How do you feel?
” “Great! We got our juice! But a little support from our community really made the difference.
If we keep helping each other out, we might not ever get sick. ” I love reading so much, and I especially love this book. One of the reasons why I love this book so much is because it talks about the importance of community.
Together we can do so many things and it’s great to rely on others for help when you need it. Also, fruits and vegetables will keep the body strong. It’s actually healing.
And if we eat fruits and vegetables in a healthy diet, we can live longer, run faster, and be a better human being. Thank you for watching Storyline Online. Make sure to check out all of our stories.
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