4F for Freaks - Leigh Hobbs [0]
Copyright © Leigh Hobbs, 2006
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National Library of Australia
Cataloguing-in-Publication entry:
Hobbs, Leigh.
4F for freaks.
For children.
ISBN 1 74114 091 9.
I. Title.
A823.3
Set in 16 pt Bembo by Sandra Nobes
Printed in Australia by McPherson’s Printing Group
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
www.leighhobbs.com
For Dmetri Kakmi
and Margaret Fink
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CHAPTER 1
Miss Corker was a brand-new teacher and she was about to meet 4F, her brand-new class.
The headmaster introduced the children one by one.
First there was Louisa the Teaser.
Then Not-so-nice Nora and Baby-doll Delia,
Tony and Alphonse, the almost identical twins,
and Scary Mary.
Nearby were cousins Terribly-tough Timmy
and Very-bad Betty.
Within reach was Unfriendly Irwin. Behind him was Baby-face Barry
and hanging about outside was Feral Beryl.
Up close was Sort-of-sweet Sarah, with High-headed Harry, Brad the Bad and his brother Dirk.
(Or was that Kirk? wondered Miss Corker.)
In the middle was Nearly-normal Nancy,
while not far off, but far enough, was Surly Susan, next to her best friend, Frowning Fran.
Also present was Strange Sidney.
Late in was Gretchen Smetchen with her pet parakeet Patricia.
Last, but not least, was One-eyed Eileen.
By now Miss Corker had a creeping feeling that the ‘F’ in 4F stood for...
4F was certainly not what she had expected.
CHAPTER 2
Before her first lesson began, Miss Corker took a look in The Teacher’s Handbook.
‘Get to know your students,’ it said.
‘So, just where did you come from, Strange Sidney?’ asked Miss Corker sweetly.
Even though answers did not come easily to Sidney,
Miss Corker felt she must keep the questions coming.
‘What would you like to be when you grow up?’ she asked Feral Beryl.
‘Let’s see that sweet smile of yours!’ said Miss Corker to Lovely Latitia.
Teaching was tiring, but Miss Corker did so want to get to know her students.
‘Who have we here?’ she asked Not-so-nice Nora...
… shortly before she was badly bitten by Baby-doll Delia.
Just then the bell went and so Miss Corker ended question time.
While 4F went out to play,
Miss Corker sought advice in the staffroom.
But no one was there. So she followed 4F.
CHAPTER 3
In the corner of the schoolyard, Miss Corker discovered Freak Headquarters.
Inside, 4F was having a meeting.
One-eyed Eileen was giving instructions,
while Not-so-nice Nora took notes.
It was then that Miss Corker heard the chilling comment, ‘Let’s get rid of her.
Just like all the rest!’
Miss Corker had heard enough. Playtime was over.
CHAPTER 4
Back in class, Miss Corker noticed a change in the children.
They seemed keen for her to read a story.
During story time, however, 4F moved in a little too close for comfort.
So Miss Corker suggested a quick spelling competition instead.
‘Who can spell xylophone?’ she asked.
Alas, 4F was losing concentration and Miss Corker had lost control.
As usual, The Teacher’s Handbook provided the solution.
‘Keep them busy,’ it said. ‘No matter what.’
Art and craft seemed a good idea at first.