the race across america

Transcription

1 the race across america Scholastic Inc. New York Toronto London Auckland Sydney Mexico City New Delhi Hong Kong Buenos Aires

2 If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this stripped book. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the copyright holder. For information regarding permission, please contact: Atlantyca S.p.A., Via Leopardi 8, Milan, Italy; foreignrights@atlantyca.it, ISBN Copyright 2006 by Edizioni Piemme S.p.A., Via Tiziano 32, Milan, Italy. International Rights Atlantyca S.p.A. English translation 2009 by Atlantyca S.p.A. GERONIMO STILTON names, characters, and related indicia are copyright, trademark, and exclusive license of Atlantyca S.p.A. All rights reserved. The moral right of the author has been asserted. Based on an original idea by Elisabetta Dami. Published by Scholastic Inc., 557 Broadway, New York, NY SCHOLASTIC and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc. Stilton is the name of a famous English cheese. It is a registered trademark of the Stilton Cheese Makers Association. For more information, go to Text by Geronimo Stilton Original title La corsa più pazza d America! Cover by Giuseppe Ferrario Illustrations by Danilo Barozzi, Francesco Castelli, and Christian Aliprandi Graphics by Merenguita Gingermouse and Michela Battaglin Special thanks to Beth Dunfey Translated by Lidia Morson Tramontozzi Interior design by Kay Petronio /0 Printed in the U.S.A. 40 First printing, April 2009

3 To: Geronimo Stilton It had been a stressful day at the office. By six o clock, I was exhausted! As I scampered home, I thought about taking a nice, relaxing bath in a tub of cheesescented bubbles. Ahhh... Oops, I almost forgot to introduce myself! My name is Stilton, Geronimo Stilton. I am the publisher of the most famouse newspaper on Mouse Island, The Rodent s Gazette. I also love to read and write books.

4 To: Geronimo Stilton When I arrived in front of my mouse hole at 8 Mouseford Lane, I noticed something unusual on the front stoop. Curious, I bent down to check it out. It was a package. Could it be for me? I hoped so! I love getting packages in the mail. I picked it up and read the tag. It was for me! Hmmm. Who could ve left this here? I wondered aloud. I picked up the box and went inside. 2

5 To: Geronimo Stilton Then I ripped off the brown wrapping paper. Once I got the box open, I was dumbfounded and a little disappointed. Bicycle handlebars?! Who had sent them to me? More important, what was I going to do with bicycle handlebars? You see, I m hardly what you d call a sportsmouse. My favorite hobby is curling up with a good book. So why would someone send me bicycle handlebars? It was a mystery.

6 Two Pedals?! I went into the bathroom and took a warm shower, just like always. Then I headed into the kitchen and got myself an apple and a nice cup of hot cheddar, just like always. I left my house whistling, just like always, and headed to my office at The Rodent s Gazette. On my way out, I tri pped over something on the front stoop. Before I could stop myself, I fell face! Ouch! flat on my I got up slowly, rubbing my tender snout. 4

7 Two Pedals?! That s when I realized I had tripped over another package. I read the tag: I decided to do as the tag said. I went back into my mouse hole and tore open the package. Inside were two bicycle pedals! Two pedals?! Who had left them for me? More important, what was I going to do with two bicycle pedals? It was a conundrum. 5???