“Well, today you are a pet. A robot pigeon.” Zeek was turning red.
“A pigeon? No, Master Zeek.”
“I don’t think Zeek is going to win this argument,” Ruby said.
“Who knew a phone could grow a backbone,” Val joked.
A crackle on the intercom interrupted Zeek and Butler Phone’s argument. It was time to announce the winner.
All the contestants gathered onstage for the awards ceremony. Goldie and Nacho were near the edge. The leader board was no longer there. Ace had smashed it to pieces during Operation Wipeout.
Ace, of course, had been disqualified.
A judge stood with a microphone in the center of the stage. “Thank you all for entering the Bloxtown Pet Pageant. As you know, the winner will get to name the new animal shelter. That’s quite an honor.”
Goldie flashed the Gearheads a smile.
“And the winner is…” The judge opened an envelope. “It’s a tie. Chirper the parrot with her owner, Mrs. Friedman, and Nacho the dog with his owner, Goldie Blox!”
The Gearheads jumped to their feet, clapping and whistling. Goldie hugged her dog.
Chipper and Mrs. Friedman stepped forward, as did Goldie and Nacho. Another judge handed them a huge trophy. Goldie and Mrs. Friedman held it high in the air.
“In addition, we have a special award to give out,” the judge said. “To Nacho and Goldie for saving the day.” He hung a medal around Nacho’s neck that read Hero.
The Gearheads rushed to the stage.
“Who gets to name the shelter?” Goldie asked excitedly.
Mrs. Friedman turned to her. “Well, since you won two awards, you can name the shelter, my dear.”
“Thank you.” Goldie shook her hand. “And you can keep the trophy.”
“How kind of you,” said Mrs. Friedman.
“This is awesome!” Li cheered. “I can’t wait to tell my grandfather.”
A judge leaned in. “So what will be the name of the new shelter? Will you name it after Nacho, our hero?”
“Nope. It will be called the Dr. Zhang Animal Shelter,” Goldie said.
The winners posed for a few pictures. Goldie insisted that the Gearheads be in several shots.
Zeek stood off to the side with his arms crossed. Goldie could tell that he wasn’t waiting around to congratulate her.
“You didn’t technically win,” he mumbled as she stepped offstage.
“Yeah, we did.”
“You tied,” Zeek said.
“Tied for a win,” Val replied.
“Whatever. I would have won if they hadn’t disqualified Ace.” Zeek’s eyebrows squashed together in an angry V. “You know I can beat you at anything. Anytime.”
Goldie rolled her eyes.
“I’d beat you at a science fair, or at a drag race, or in a marathon, or at a cupcake bakeoff.”
“Just stop,” said Goldie, holding up her hand. “I’m not interested.”
But Zeek continued. “I’d win at battle of the bands. Or a race to outer space. Or in an election.”
Goldie kept walking. “Let’s go celebrate, Gearheads.”
Back at the BloxShop, Li, Ruby, and Val ate popcorn and watched old videos of Nacho as a puppy. Goldie tinkered with her machine.
“Aw,” Val gushed. “Nacho was the cutest puppy ever.”
“Cute, but also destructive,” Li said. “He chewed up one of my helmets and three different sneakers.”
“Goldie, what are you working on?” Ruby asked.
“It’s the new and improved Commander.” Goldie moved the robot in front of the TV.
Nacho jumped off the beanbag and ran toward the door.
“Wait! You have to try it. I think you’ll like this one.”
Nacho crept toward the new Commander. He pressed the big button with his wet nose. The machine lit up. A backscratcher swung forward and scratched his back. Then a waffle ejected from a slot.
“Listen for the best part,” Goldie said.
The Commander spoke. “Nacho, you are the Best! Pet! Ever!”
Grant Blair
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stacy McAnulty thinks her imagination is the most important tool in her toolbox. Before becoming a full-time author, she worked as a mechanical engineer—a job that, like writing, requires creativity and stick-to-itiveness. She is the author of several books for young readers, including the chapter book series The Dino Files and the picture books Beautiful and 101 Reasons Why I’m Not Taking a Bath. She lives with her husband, three kids, and two dogs in Kernersville, North Carolina. Find out more at stacymcanulty.com.
What’s next on
your reading list?
Discover your next
great read!
* * *
Get personalized book picks and up-to-date news about this author.
Sign up now.
Goldie Blox and the Best! Pet! Ever! (GoldieBlox) Page 5
