by Dale Lundberg

illustrated by
Anthony Lewis
 by Dale Lundberg
illustrated by Anthony Lewis

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ISBN 10: 0-15-350505-2

ISBN 13: 978-0-15-350505-8

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ISBN 13: 978-0-15-350333-7 (Grade 3 Below-Level Collection)
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ISBN 13: 978-0-15-357493-1 (package of 5)

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 Mr. Enrico announced to his students
that they would be having a talent show.
The kids in the class were ready to erupt
in excitement. Well, all except Bettina.
“I don’t think I have any talent,”
Bettina thought as she sat on the school
bus that afternoon.

3
 Bettina’s best friend, Alex, sat next to
her. “I think that I will play the flute,” he
said. “What will you do for the show?”
“I can’t think of any talent that I have!”
said Bettina.
4

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 “Well, can you sing?” asked Alex.
“No, I’m not a very good singer,”
said Bettina.
“Can you dance?” asked Alex.
“No, I’m not a very good dancer
either,” said Bettina sadly.
“Don’t worry, Bettina,” said Alex.
“We’ll think of something.”

5
 That night, Bettina had trouble falling
asleep. She thought about the things she
was good at. She was good at soccer. You
couldn’t play soccer at a talent show. She
was also good at math. Math was not
going to work out either.
6
 Bettina liked to read. She wasn’t sure
how she could expand reading into a talent.
Maybe Mr. Enrico would have some ideas.
After school that day, the kids were
getting ready for the show. Kids were
singing and dancing. One kid was even
doing karate!

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 Bettina held her breath. Finally, she
went into the room. “Hello, Bettina.
What do you plan to do for the show?”
asked Mr. Enrico.
“I don’t think I have any talents,”
Bettina said.
“Well, I don’t know about that,”
said Mr. Enrico. “I have an idea.”
8

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 Finally, it was the night of the big show.
Everyone was waiting for it to begin. The
class had done a thorough job preparing for
the show. Lisa Larken was first to go on.
She was going to sing.

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 Lisa’s song was very nice, but she forgot
the words in the second verse. Next up was
Roger Hamilton. He was going to dance.
Roger did a good job until he tripped and
fell halfway through the dance. Everyone
clapped anyway. Then it was Alex’s turn.

10

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 Alex was a pretty good flute player. This
time the song was sprinkled with some flat
notes. Even so, Bettina clapped and cheered.
One by one, the kids got up and performed.
Finally, it was Bettina’s turn. She slowly
walked onto the stage.

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 Bettina announced, “I’m going to
recite a poem called ‘Dust of Snow’ by
Robert Frost.”
Bettina did not make any mistakes.
Her voice was clear and strong, not grainy
or weak. When she finished, everyone
cheered. The show was over. Now it was
up to the judges.

12

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 The judges’ deliberation lasted just a
few minutes. “Third place goes to Alex
Saunders for playing the flute,” said the
judges. “Second place goes to Ben Green for
playing the drums.”
Bettina gathered her things together. She
was certain it wasn’t possible for her to win.

13
 Then, she heard the judges say, “First
place goes to Bettina Johnson for reading
the poem.”
Bettina could not believe her ears.
Mr. Enrico smiled and said, “Being able
to speak well in front of a crowd is a
real talent!”
“Maybe I have as much talent as
everyone else after all!” Bettina said
proudly.

14
 Think Critically
1. How does Bettina change during the story?

2. Did you think Bettina would win the talent

show? Why or why not?

3. Why do you think Mr. Enrico helps Bettina?

4. What do you think the author wanted readers

to learn?

5. Has this story changed the way you feel about

what makes a talent? Why or why not?

Science
Snow Facts The poem that Bettina read was called “Dust of
Snow.” Look up snow, and find out three things about it. Write
them down. Then practice saying your snow facts aloud.

School-Home Connection Ask friends and family

members whether they think they have any talents. If
so, what are they?

Word Count: 538

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