I dedicate this book, “Mark’s Memorable Year” to all the kids who feel alone in this world and are being bullied. No one needs to feel like that. There will always be someone there for you throughout your journey in life.

On this warm, sunny school day, the second grade class has lunch al fresco, which is a tradition every school year. Lunch al fresco takes place outside in the school yard. Each student has to bring the following: a towel, lunch, and a game to play.

When the bell rings loudly for lunch time, the second graders shout and cheer because they are so excited for lunch al fresco! They all walk outside to the school yard, smiling and laughing with one another. Josh shouts to his friend, “Mark is so tall, he is as tall as a skyscraper, and he has red hair as bright as a tomato, and he has green eyes that look like the color of broccoli, and he has an English accent!”

Mark sits all alone outside on his towel and begins to eat his lunch, while the other students sit next to their friends. Mark always has a positive attitude, even when he is alone, and he has one of the brightest smiles! Brighter than the sun!

ST. CLAIRE'S CATHOLIC ACADEMY

Ms. G treats her class to ice pops and when they line up to receive them, Mark is the first boy on line. After some students receive theirs, Ms. G shouts, “There is only one blue, two orange, and three yellow ice pops left!” 

Josh, who is standing right behind Mark, demands, “You better not take the last blue ice pop or else” Josh’s comment did not bother Mark, even though he wants the blue ice pop because that is his favorite flavor. 

Mark walks back to his spot on the floor. Josh follows him and says with anger, “I said you better not take the ice pop or else” Mark simply did not feed into what Josh had said and kept on eating his ice pop with a huge smile on his face. 

ST. CLAIRE'S CATHOLIC ACADEMY

Angie, one of Mark’s classmates, sees what is happening between Mark and Josh and watches from the corner of her eye, scared of what will happen to Mark.

ST. CLAIRE'S CATHOLIC ACADEMY

Once the class finishes eating, Ms. G calls out, “Second grade, please clean up your garbage! When you are finished you may take out your games to play.” Every student listens to Ms. G’s announcement. Angie notices that Mark is playing a game by himself and goes over to sit next to him.

ST. CLAIRE'S CATHOLIC ACADEMY

“Hi Mark,” Angie says. Mark looks up at Angie and replies, “Hello Angie.” “How was your lunch?” Angie inquires. Mark replies with enthusiasm, “It was great, and I got the last blue ice pop too!” “Wow, that is awesome! May I ask why you are sitting all alone?” Mark sighed, “I just rather be alone.”  

ST. CLAIRE'S CATHOLIC ACADEMY

These students attend a private school, so the next day comes along and they are allowed to dress down today. Mark wears bright green jeans and a white shirt with planets on it. 

During lunch, Josh starts pestering Mark, “Ew, you bring your own lunch to school and it’s not even a good lunch. Your food smells so bad.” Mark does not reply to Josh, he continues to eat his lunch because he loves what his mom made for him and he couldn’t be happier that she makes him food for lunch. 

CAFETERIA

Josh continues to make comments, but this time it gets worse. He snaps, “Do you even dress yourself or does your mommy do it for you?”  As always, Mark still keeps a positive attitude and does not say anything to Josh. The second Josh walks away, Mark thinks to himself, “I wonder why he is always picking on me, everyone is different in their own way.” 

CAFETERIA

Sitting across the cafeteria, Angie sees the way Josh is speaking to Mark and it upsets her. Angie doesn’t like when her classmates are mean to one another. She walks over with her lunch and sits next to Mark.