Big Nate Flips Out Page 5

  about to launch into the victory dance she’s been

  rehearsing all week. But it’s not over yet.

  “If the Factoids answer the next question

  incorrectly, the game continues,” Ms. Clarke says.

  “If they get it right, they’re the champions.”

  I look over at Francis. He flashes me a gigantic

  smile. Why? Because he knows the same thing

  I do: We’re about to win the Trivia Slam.

  “That’s correct.” Ms. Clarke smiles. “Congratu—”

  I don’t hear the rest. Dee Dee wraps me in a

  bear hug, and a second later I’m on the bottom

  of a Factoid pig pile. Teddy’s singing in Spanish,

  hats are flying everywhere . . . it’s total

  pandemonium.

  “I thought we were DOOMED when I heard

  that question!” Chad exclaims as we untangle

  ourselves.

  Before I can answer, Francis slaps me on the

  shoulder. “He’s just really good at trivia, that’s all!”

  But that’s NOT all. And Francis knows it better

  than anybody.

  See, that was my half of the friendship pact I made

  with Francis back in third grade. He told me his

  secret—Butthurst—and I told him mine: that I’m

  a complete cat coward. I know it sounds stupid,

  but cats just freak me out. They always have.

  “Think of it this way,” Francis says.

  “Ooh! Guys! That reminds me . . .”

  As the others scroll through the rest of the

  pictures, Francis and I step into the hall. “Hey, I

  just thought of something,” he says. “Maybe Uncle

  Pedro could help you get over your cat phobia.”

  “No, thanks. Being hypnotized the first time didn’t

  work out so hot.”

  He chuckles. “Yeah, I’m glad that didn’t stick.

  I like you much better as a slob.”

  Hear that? Now THAT’S a best friend. We’ll always

  be total opposites, but just because Francis is

  Mr. Clean, it doesn’t mean he expects ME to be.

  He’s happy with me just the way I am.

  (pronounced “purse”) is a cartoonist/writer and New

  York Times bestselling author of the hilarious Big Nate

  book series (www.bignatebooks.com), now published in

  twenty-two countries worldwide and available as ebooks

  and audiobooks and as an app, Big Nate: Comix by U! He

  is also the creator of the comic strip Big Nate. It appears

  in over two hundred and fifty U.S. newspapers and

  online daily at www.gocomics.com/bignate. Lincoln’s

  boyhood idol was Charles Schulz of Peanuts fame, but

  his main inspiration for Big Nate has always been his

  own experience as a sixth grader. Just like Nate, Lincoln

  loves comics, ice hockey, and Cheez Doodles (and dislikes

  cats, figure skating, and egg salad). His Big Nate books

  have been featured on Good Morning America and in the

  Boston Globe, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today and

  the Washington Post. He has also written for Cartoon

  Network and Nickelodeon. Lincoln lives with his wife

  and two children in Portland, Maine.

  For exclusive information

  on your favorite authors and artists,

  visit www.authortracker.com.